FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team dropped a tight 73-66 contest against Clarion at the MEC-PSAC Challenge Friday afternoon at Joe Retton Arena.
An 11-4 fourth-quarter run by the Golden Eagles (1-0) was too much for Concord (0-1) to overcome.
The Mountain Lions started strong as it led by four in the first quarter, and built a lead of nine, 21-12, on a bucket from freshman forward
Riley Fitzwater with 8:37 left in the first half. Â
CU remained in the lead until Clarion took a 28-27 edge with 1:43 remaining in the first half. The Golden Eagles finished the first 20 minutes on a 19-6 run to take a 31-27 lead into halftime.
After Clarion took a 39-33 lead at the 7:03 mark of the third quarter, Concord slowly closed on the Golden Eagles. CU scored 13 of the next 17 points to take a 46-43 lead with 2:43 left in the third. Sophomore forward
Madison May keyed the run with six points while Fitzwater converted two layups and freshman guard
Keely Lundy hit a three-pointer.
The Mountain Lions took a 50-47 edge to the fourth quarter.
Clarion tied the game 52-52 with 7:35 remaining, and the teams traded the next eight points to keep things tied, 56-56. However, the Golden Eagles went on the aforementioned run to open up a 67-60 advantage with 49 seconds left.
CU could only get as close as six points over the remainder of the game.
Fitzwater recorded a double-double in her first collegiate game as she tallied 20 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. The Stouts Mills, West Virginia native was 10-for-11 from the field.
Junior guard
Andreanna Pool had 13 points while all 12 of May's points came in the second half.
Senior forward
Heather Chapman rounded out the CU scorers in double figures with 10 points while adding seven boards.
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