Published: November 16, 2008 02:43 am            

Armstrong Atlantic topples Lady Falcons

ATHENS — Fairmont State’s Lady Falcons did something they have never done before under veteran coach Steve McDonald in a season opener.

They lost.

Armstrong Atlantic State University broke open a close game early in the second half and cruised to a 71-58 victory over FSU here Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the Concord University Lady Lions’ Tip-Off Classic at the Carter Center.

The loss marked the first time in McDonald’s nine years as the head coach of Fairmont’s women that his team has tasted defeat in a season opener.

Armstrong Atlantic, which finished 20-11 last year and played in the Peach Belt Conference championship game, held a 34-27 lead at the break and then took control of the game for good in the first five minutes of the second half. The Lady Pirates built a 67-40 lead over FSU before settling for the 13-point victory which improved them to 1-0 on the year.

“It was a good basketball game for the first 20 minutes,” said McDonald. “We went in at the half down seven and if a couple of possessions had gone differently we easily could’ve been ahead at the half. In the second half, though, things changed. They took the game to us in the first five minutes and built a 16-point lead. That lead eventually ballooned to as many as 27, but to our credit we did battle back and cut it to 13 there at the end.

“We never quit and we didn’t give up, but we didn’t play very good basketball in any facet. We’re going to have to regroup quickly, though, because Gannon, our opponent Sunday, is very good.”

Armstrong Atlantic was led offensively in the game by Lacey Willis, who finished with 15 points. The Lady Pirates also got 13 points from Dartayvia Thomas and 10 from Ashley Duhart.

The Lady Falcons, who committed 21 turnovers in the loss, were paced by Gabby Gattuso’s 16 points. FSU also got 10 points apiece from Molly Kiger and Sasha Simmons.

Fairmont State returns to action today in the classic at 1 p.m. when it battles Gannon University. The Lady Golden Knights defeated Concord University Saturday, 83-69. Concord and Armstrong Atlantic will meet today at 3 p.m.

        

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