Box Score
LOGAN, W. Va. – Junior forward
Jacqueline Kestner scored a career-high 20 points and junior guard
Sissy Wagner made six foul shots in the game's final minute to lead the Concord University women's basketball team to a 67-64 Mountain East Conference victory over Fairmont State Saturday afternoon at the Willie Akers Arena in Logan, W. Va. in the opening game of the King Coal Classic.
The victory improves Concord's record to 5-6 overall and 3-5 in MEC play. The Fighting Falcons fell to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in league games with the loss.
Kestner scored 14 of her 20 points in the first half on 5-of-6 shooting including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Along with the Blountville, Tenn.-native's strong effort in the first half and eight points a piece from Wagner and junior guard
Rachel Artrip, Concord never trailed and led 41-38 at intermission.
However, Fairmont State began the second half on a 17-3 run to cut the CU lead to 47-44 with 11:05 remaining. After being inserted into the game at the 11:20 mark, sophomore guard
Leslie Mack took a pass from Wagner near the top of the key and sunk a three to stretch the Concord lead to six with 10:40 remaining.
After the last media timeout, junior forward
Andrea Bertrand calmly made two free throws to extend CU's margin back to four, 59-55, at the 4:31 mark.
But again, the Fighting Falcons battled back and eventually grabbed their first lead of the game at 63-61 with just 1:04 left on the clock.
A quartet of free throws from Wagner pushed CU back into the lead 65-63 with 24 seconds remaining. Fairmont State had its chance to tie the game, but they were only able to hit 1-of-2 foul shots. After the missed attempt, Wagner was fouled and capped off her strong performance from the charity strip to seal the victory. Although FSU was able to get a shot off at the buzzer, it was blocked by Bertrand.
Kestner's career-night came on 8-for-15 shooting from the field while also grabbing nine rebounds and making a pair of steals. The 20-point outing eclipses her previous personal-best of 17 points, which she set earlier in the year in a victory over Davis & Elkins.
Wagner finished with 16 points and five assists. She also set a career-high with made free throws in a game at nine and has now made 11 straight foul shots going back to the Charleston game. Bertrand was Concord's third player in double figures with an 11-point, five-assist, five-rebound showing. Artrip added nine points and six rebounds and senior center
Sammi Webster chipped in eight points.
As a team, Concord shot 36.8 percent from the field, 70 percent (7-for-10) from three-point range and 62.1 percent (18-for-29) from the foul line. The Mountain Lions once again won the turnover battle after committing just 11 miscues compared to Fairmont State's 20. The Mountain Lions also held an advantage over Fairmont State in points off turnovers (18-12).
Fairmont State was led by Brianna Innocent with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Concord returns to action 5:30 p.m. Monday at Shepherd.
