(London, Ontario) – At the Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre on Saturday afternoon, the Fanshawe Women's Basketball team (5-10) fell 69-58 to the Humber Hawks (9-6).
Fanshawe's Renee Maat (Oakville, ON) was the first scorer for the Falcons after a 13-0 start for Humber. The Hawks were dominant during the majority of the first quarter and the score stood at 19-4 after one.
During the 8th minute of the second, fifth-year Alison Cotton (London, ON) converted on a jumper over a Humber defender. Then, during the following play, a steal by Joanna Smith (Simcoe, ON) led to a fastbreak layup for the Falcons. Sidney Deleary (Chippewas of the Thames) later recorded an and-one which added to Fanshawe's 10-2 run. Cotton scored her third basket of the game to bring Fanshawe's score to 16 to Humber's 28. Late in the quarter, Deleary showed off her range and knocked down a three from beyond the arc. Smith drained a step-back jumper on the baseline to cut Humber's lead down to 11. With seconds left in the quarter, Tamara Smith (Sarnia, ON) got on the board by swishing a three-ball. The Falcons trailed 32-25 at the half.
Cotton opened the second half with a made jumper in the key. Within two minutes of the third frame, J. Smith converted on a layup and the Birds took over the lead 33-32, after being down by 16 earlier in the game. The visitors took the advantage back, but the Falcons did not go away. Maat recorded a bucket plus the harm and first-year Edith Eseme (Milton, ON) drained a jumper. To bring Fanshawe's score to 40, Shauntee Centen (London, ON) sunk a three-pointer. Deleary also added to Fanshawe's efforts with a sweet spin move in the key around the Hawks defenders. After the third, the Falcons were down 49-44.
J. Smith scored Fanshawe's first bucket of the quarter on an and-one. A spectacular pass by Myra Ciccarelli (Hamilton, ON) found a cutting Eseme who recorded the second bucket plus the harm for Fanshawe in the quarter. A great drive by Cicarelli brought Humber's advantage down to four. Then, Cotton found her rhythm from behind the arc, knocking down a three to bring the score to 56-55 in Humber's favour. The visitors then found their stride, going on a 13-2 run to end the game. The final score stood at 69-58 for the Hawks.
With 19 rebounds in the game, Cotton tied her own record set previously this season for the most rebounds recorded in Fanshawe Women's Basketball history. Cotton has also made her mark as she has now secured third in Fanshawe Women's Basketball all-time career rebounding with 477. In her final home game of her five-year career, Cotton also recorded 18 points on 8/16 from the field to make it her 10th double-double of the season.
Fanshawe's final game of the regular season will be played at the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre against the Mohawk Mountaineers (10-4) on Saturday, February 10.
