Fanshawe Falls in Hard-Fought Home Opener Game

Fanshawe Falls in Hard-Fought Home Opener Game
October 26, 2023

On Thursday evening, the Fanshawe Women's Basketball team (1-1) hosted their first home game of the season against the Lambton Lions (3-0).

To open the game, at the eight-minute mark, the Lions scored the first bucket of the game. The Birds followed up with a beautiful give-and-go connection between second-year Shauntee Centen (London, ON) to Taya Spears (London, ON). In transition, Lambton attempted to take the lead, but guard Myra Ciccarelli (Hamilton, ON) stepped up for the Falcons and took a huge charge. Later in the quarter, the visitors found their stride. After the first, the score stood at 20-10 in Lambton's favour.

To start the second quarter, Spears knocked down a big three-pointer. To close the gap on the visitors, rookie Joanna Smith (Simcoe, ON) made a brilliant hook shot on the baseline which rattled into the Lions' net. Smith followed with a made shot behind the arc. Despite Fanshawe's efforts, Lambton had an eleven-point advantage at the half.

A minute into the third, rookie Sidney Deleary (Chippewas of the Thames) hit a triple, to keep the Birds in reach. Scoring her second bucket of the game, fifth-year Alison Cotton (London, ON) backed down the Lambton defender to sink an easy bucket. Near the end of the third, the visitors racked up a few baskets to pull away.

The Lions led 59-36 at the beginning of the fourth. Centen displayed a powerful move resulting in a basket plus the harm. Later in the quarter, Jamie Stahlbaum (Aylmer, ON) hit a three. With six minutes remaining in the game, the score stood at 65-44 for Lambton. Then, Cotton recorded Fanshawe's tenth steal of the evening. The Birds won the fourth quarter 19-6, but the Lions remained triumphant. Lambton took the first matchup of the season against the Falcons 65-55.

The Birds look to bounce back at home in their next match on Friday, November 3 at 6:00 p.m. against the St. Clair Saints (2-0).