Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Fairfield girls learn from loss
Trojans try their hand at No. 6 Grinnell, but Tigers too much
Andy Krutsinger
Jan. 19, 2022 1:14 am, Updated: Jan. 19, 2022 8:25 am
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield girls basketball team gave it a shot on Tuesday night against No. 6 Grinnell, but the Trojans couldn’t pull the upset. The Trojans hung with the Tigers for more than half the game, but Grinnell pulled away for a 56-30 victory.
“They have five shooters, and they drive the ball to the basket very well,” said Fairfield head coach Pat Pacha. “We all know about that, it's just they were a step quicker tonight.”
The Trojans hung tight early on, but Grinnell wouldn’t get rattled early. The Tigers took a 22-14 lead on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter, and stretched that lead to 33-22 at the halftime break.
Fairfield put on a full-court press to start the third quarter, and the Trojans did get a couple early buckets, but Grinnell eventually started to find its rhythm and won the third quarter 22-8 to take a commanding 55-30 lead into the third quarter.
“We had the chance to play a really good team, the No. 6 team in the league, and they proved they were pretty good,” Pacha said.
Grinnell won the fourth quarter 20-18. The Tigers put up 20 or more points in three of the four periods.
It was an extremely balanced Fairfield score sheet as nine Trojans scored and nobody put up more than 10 points.
Danielle Breen scored 10 points to lead Fairfield. Anna Dunlap scored nine. Delaney Breen and Maddie Jones had seven apiece. Kelsey Pacha scored six. Ashlyn List scored three. Brynley Allison, Mallory Lyon and Savannah Hollander all had two.
Fairfield is now 7-5 overall this year. The Trojans will put their 5-1 Southeast Conference record on the line in a home game against Burlington (0-12, 0-5) on Friday night.
Fairfield’s Danielle Breen launches a 3-pointer during the first half of the Trojans’ home loss to No. 6 Grinnell on Tuesday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
Fairfield’s Kelsey Pacha (left) battles for a loose ball with an Oskaloosa player on Tuesday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)
Fairfield’s Delaney Breen flies in for a scoop layup on Tuesday night against Oskaloosa. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)