Athens, WV- Concord welcomed in their most anticipated opponent to date in the Fairmont State Lady Falcons. Concord's off shooting balanced by their stingy defense would be the head line for the day's game. Fairmont would eventually edge Concord 49-45.
Concord struggled in the first half against the Lady Falcons only shooting 50% (7-28) from the floor. However, the Lady Lion defense kept them close with Fairmont State. The Lady Falcons only shot 16 shots in the first half and had 14 turnovers. Despite the low shooting totals the Lady Falcons still shot the ball and took a 27-20 lead into the half.
To begin second half Jamie Merinar fouled out with 18:22 left to go. Merinar, one of the Lady Falcons best all-around players, proved to boost the Lady Lions as they cut the lead to one at 29-28 with 16 minutes to go.
The Lady Falcons then began to go on their run. The Lady Falcons hot shooting pushed their lead to as many as 10 points with only 4 minutes to go. Concord began to go on a run of their own, the Lady Lions scored 9 straight points before Fairmont State pushed the lead back to three.
The Lady Falcons' Gabby Gattuso hit to big free throws with on 12 seconds left in the game to push the lead to 49-45. After a highly contested Bre Kyle missed three pointer, Gattuso would be fouled and go to the line. Even though she missed both free throws, down four with only 3 seconds, it was too little too late for the Lady Lions. Fairmont State would defeat Concord 49-45.
Concord led at 2-1 and cut the score one several times, but could never get over the hump. This is the first time a Concord opponent scored under 60 points and defeated the Lady Lions. Samm Nester led the Lady Lions in scoring with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Cassidy Smith and Amber Showalter both scored 10 points each. Jamie Cluesman also was an cornerstone for the Lady Lions as she had 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
Concord (10-4, WVIAC 6-2) will on the road in Shepherdstown, WV to face the Rams on Thursday, January 24th at 6:00pm.
