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Abby defeats Pittsville, 46-40

By Nathaniel Underwood

It was a tale of two halves when the Abbotsford Falcons and the Pittsville Panthers collided on Monday evening for a non-conference matchup. The visiting Falcons dominated the first period, holding their opponents to just nine points, but Pittsville roared back in the second half. Abbotsford managed to hold off the furious Panther return, however, and defeated the home team 46-40.

Pittsville led for just 10 seconds on Monday night, scoring the first basket of the evening on a fast break layup only to have Briseida Escalera put her team on top with a three on Abbotsford’s next possession. The Falcons never trailed following Escalera’s basket, though their lead became quite precarious in the second half. Abbotsford built its early advantge when it went on a 13-0 run late in the first period. Sydney Falteisek led the way, scoring on three straight possessions to extend the Falcons’ lead into the double-digits. Sommer Brodhagen scored the next time Abbotsford had the ball and then hit a three to widen the berth further. A Falteisek free throw closed out the run. The Panthers only put up two points in the final six minutes and the visitors headed to the locker room with a 27-9 lead.

Escalera started the scoring in the second half by hitting her second three of the evening which gave the Falcons a 21 point advantage, their largest of the evening. However, momentum started to slide towards the Panthers as their offense finally began to string together baskets. Pittsville scored 16 unanswered points, clawing their way back into the contest With less than four minutes left in the game, a steal and subsequent basket by the Panthers tied the game at 38-38. Abbotsford responded; Oriah Harris sunk two clutch free throws to retake the lead and Calley Ruesch connected on an important transition basket to put the Falcons back up by four. A field goal from Harris countered a free throw from Pittsville and Escalera iced the game with two makes from the charity stripe.

Brodhagen had a double-double, scoring 11 points and bringing down 10 rebounds. Falteisek added 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Escalera had eight points, Harris had six points and Ruesch ended the game with five points. Azul Diaz and Neveah Treankler had four and two points respectively.

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