(London, Ontario) – At the Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre on Wednesday evening, the Fanshawe Women's Basketball team (3-4) fell 76-58 to the Mohawk Mountaineers (5-1). Despite the loss, fifth-year captain Alison Cotton (London, ON) set a new Fanshawe basketball record for most rebounds in the game with an incredible 19, breaking the previous record of 15 set by Mikhaila Wright.
The Mountaineers got off to a hot start, taking a commanding 6-0 lead. Shauntee Centen (London, ON) was first to get on the board for the Falcons after scoring on a sweet up-and-under move. After subbing into the game, rookie Sidney Deleary (Chippewas of the Thames) had a huge block and Myra Cicarelli (Hamilton, ON) drained a step back over her defender. The Birds made a brilliant run midway through the first to only trail by two, but the Mountaineers fought back and led 26-14 to enter the second quarter.
Adding two to Fanshawe's total, Jaimie Stahlbaum (Aylmer, ON) recorded a bucket after grabbing an offensive rebound. Later in the quarter, Cicarelli sunk her second three-pointer of the game and Centen recorded an and-one, but the Mountaineers continued to build on their advantage. At half, the score stood at 44-25 in Mohawk's favour.
To open the half, first-year Joanna Smith (Simcoe, ON) hit a step-back three and then stole a Mountaineer pass to convert on an easy layup on the offensive side. Cotton controlled the boards to give Fanshawe momentum defensively. Chloe Meldrum (St. Thomas, ON) hit a midrange jump shot, then Cotton added back-to-back buckets to contribute to Fanshawe's 14- 6 run. The Birds won the third quarter 25-15 and cut the gap to nine.
The Mountaineers found their stride in the fourth and extended their lead. At 54-72, Smith found an open Cotton who swished another jumper at the elbow. Despite Fanshawe's efforts and persistent defense, The Mountaineers pulled off the 76-58 victory.
Fanshawe's final game of the semester will be played at the North Campus Gymnasium against the Humber Hawks (3-3) on Friday, December 1.
