Spalding women's basketball team couldn't overcome a tough 1st quarter, losing a hard game on the road at Fontbonne. The loss moves the Golden Eagles into a tie for 3rd place in the SLIAC standings.
THE BASICS:
THE SCORE: Fontbonne 65 - Spalding 55
LOCATION: Mabee Gymnasium | St. Louis, MO
RECORDS: Spalding 11-10, SLIAC 9-5 | Greenville 13-8, SLIAC 12-2
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Hunter Wright opened the game with a jump shot to put the Eagles up early, but the Griffins followed with a 10-0 run behind Rylee Stafford and Jillian Venegas. A jump shot from Wright cut the lead to four at just under the six minute mark. Neither team scored a field goal until just under two minutes when Fontbonne went on a six point run to finish out the quarter up 12 points/
- To start the second quarter, a lay-up from Fontbonnes' Stafford extended their lead to 14, the largest lead of the game. The Eagles were able to cut the deficit to 10 with eight minutes remaining in the half. After exchanging baskets, a Meagan Hayden three-pointer cut the lead to three, but Fontbonne had an answer, extending their lead to 10 at the halfway point, 34-24.
- Backed by good defense, Spalding was able to get their offense going in the third quarter. A jump shot from Maleah Hirn would put the Golden Eagles within four halfway through the quarter. With her 10th point of the quarter, Hirn's freethrow would put Spalding down two with just under three minutes to go. SU outscored Fontbonne by seven in the third, only down three going into the final quarter.
- A layup from Allison Just to start the fourth quarter would put Spalding down one, and a jump shot from Hirn would put Spalding up for the first time since the 9:11 mark of the first quarter. Hirn and Just put together a combined nine points of the Golden Eagles' 12 fourth quarter points, but it just wouldn't be enough. A dagger from the corner from Riley Guffey would seal the deal, putting the Griffins up seven going into the final minute. Forced to foul, Spalding couldn't catch up, falling to Fontbonne 55-65.
NOTABLE STATS
- Maleah Hirn led all scorers with 17 points, and added 3 steals. Allison Just contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. Hunter Wright pitched in 10 points and 8 rebounds.
FOR THE FOES
- Rylee Stafford led the Griffins with 12 points.
NEXT UP
- Spalding will take on Principia Tuesday, February 11th in Elsah, IL at 6:30pm ET.
