The Nation Ford Lady Falcons used a quick start to the fourth quarter to outscore the Lancaster Lady Bruins 21-13 in the final quarter.
The Falcons improved to 5-4 on the season with a 51-40 home win on Dec. 17.
“We have to keep improving quarter by quarter,” said Lady Falcons head coach Kelly Bennett. “We got after it defensively. We just have to get better and better.”
Nation Ford started by putting a lot of defensive pressure on Lancaster. That led to turnovers for the Bruins and additional chances on offense for the Falcons. Nation Ford was able to get an early advantage by making shots and capitalizing on eight turnovers by the Bruins in the first quarter.
Lancaster played their way back into the game with the help of a 3-pointer by Kaylyn Hollenbeck. The Bruins cut down on the turnovers and went on a 5-0 run midway through the second quarter.
Nation Ford was able to keep the lead, but didn’t make it easy on themselves as they hit just two field goals in the second quarter and held a small 19-16 halftime lead.
Lancaster took the lead in opening the second half scoring the first four points in the third quarter. The game then started transitioning back and forth between the two teams. The Bruins were able to get inside looks at the basket. Nation Ford kept pace and even went ahead 30-28 to start the fourth quarter.
The Falcons jumped out to a 9-4 lead to start the fourth quarter. Nation Ford went up by 12 with about four minutes left in the game.
Nation Ford was led by Ariah Heard, who scored eight of her 14 points in the fourth quarter and Aubrey Morrow, who scored nine of her 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Falcons falter down the stretch
Turnovers hurt Nation Ford boys’ basketball team as they struggled to stop runs by the Bruins.
Lancaster held on for a 59-56 win over the Falcons who dropped to 2-5 on the season.
“We had a good practice yesterday,” said Nation Ford head coach Charles Brown. “In my mind we were going to win. We are still coming together.”
Lancaster opened the game on a 9-0 run. Nation Ford called a timeout and regrouped coming out on an 8-1 run to get back in the game.
Nation Ford trailed by three to open the second quarter. The Falcons stayed close but struggled in stopping Lancaster on the block as they were able to score with ease.
Both teams started pushing the pace to score in transition. Lancaster was a little more aggressive and effective in using their quickness to get steals and additional shot attempts.
The Bruins and Falcons each scored the same number of points in the second quarter as they did in the first, as Lancaster led at the half 30-24.
The Bruins started the second half with a flurry after Nation Ford opened with a 3-pointer. The Falcons struggled with their shot in the third quarter. Lancaster slowed things down on offense as they went into the final period up by six.
Lancaster extended their lead to 10 about 90 seconds into the fourth quarter. Nation Ford would crawl back into the game, but couldn’t stop runs from the Bruins.
The Falcons cut Lancaster’s lead to three with about 1:45 left in the game. Despite getting close several times, Nation Ford still wasn’t able to stop small runs by the Bruins to give them some breathing room.
Nation Ford was led by Ben Chuttey with 21 points. The Falcons dropped to 2-5 on the season.
The Falcons open Region 3-5A play on Friday, Dec. 20 at Northwestern.
Dec. 17 Roundup
The Fort Mill boys’ basketball team improved to 9-1 on the season with a 58-39 win over Marvin Ridge.
The Fort Mill girls’ basketball team fell to 5-5 on the season with a 58-51 loss to Marvin Ridge.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
