(London, Ontario) – The Fanshawe Women's Basketball team (7-6) came up just short against the visiting St. Clair Saints (5-8) by a score of 57-55. Ashlyn Anderson (Latchford, ON) put herself in Fanshawe record books as she broke the Women's team single game rebound record with 21, breaking Allison Cotton's previous record of 19. Anderson also racked up six blocks to tie her for the Women's team single game record with Mikhaila Wright.
It was a slow start offensively for both teams in front of a rowdy Falcons Fest crowd. While open looks were being generated on both sides, neither team was able lift the proverbial "lid" off the basket. After trailing early in the quarter, the Falcons defence clamped up in the final five minutes of the frame as they were able to even the score at nine a piece going into the second quarter.
Coming off her best performance of the season in a win against Niagara on Wednesday, Layla Mackenzie (Camlachie, ON) rode the momentum into the weekend and put on a show in front of the Falcons Fest crowd. Mackenzie got hot in the second quarter, leading the Falcons offence, scoring eight of the teams 13 points in the quarter. A tight-knit contest saw St. Clair head into the half with a slim 26-22 lead.
While Mackenzie was hot in the second quarter, she set the gym on fire in the third. Halfway through the quarter she drilled three consecutive unanswered three-point shots to give the Birds a lead. Mackenzie picked up 13 of her game high 24 points in the frame which helped Fanshawe carry a 47-43 lead into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was dramatic as St. Clair took a slim 57-55 lead with 30 seconds left in the game. Fanshawe had an opportunity to potentially tie or win the game with the last possession but fell short as St. Clair held on and won 57-55.
The Falcons will return to Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre for their final home game of the season on February 5th in a matchup against Mohawk (9-4). The Women's team will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. with the Men's team following at 8:00 p.m.
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