Trojans escape Warriors

KEOSAUQUA — Both the Fairfield and Van Buren County girls basketball teams have had a tough first half of the season.

The Trojans and Warriors both had one win coming into the two Tuesday night meeting.

When was all said and done between the two squads, it was Fairfield edging Van Buren County for its second win of the season, 53-45.

It was a close one for a half between the two non-conference foes.

Fairfield got on the board first on a free throw to start the game, 1-0, but Van Buren County quickly made it 5-1 just over three minutes into the game.

Following a timeout by the Trojans, Fairfield started to get some momentum.

Over the course of the next 4:21, the Trojans scored six unanswered to take a 7-5 lead.

The Warriors were able to tie it up though, 7-7, hitting a layup with five seconds on the clock.

In the second, the Trojans came out with tenacity.

Fairfield scored six straight to make it 13-7, all while hold Van Buren scoreless until the 3:56 mark.

From then on Van Buren put together a run of its own.

The Warriors scored eight straight, putting them back on top, 15-13, with 1:58 to go in the half.

Fairfield would have the last laugh though, as Grace Lyon hit a trio of free throws and Briana Steele dropped in a layup with seconds to go, bring the Trojans advantage back to 18-15 at the break.

To begin the second, Fairfield quickly built up a 10 point lead, 25-15, with back-to-back steals and lay-ins from Ashlyn Lisk, followed by a three ball from Savannah Hollander.

For Van Buren, Davison got the scoring opened up in the second half, with five straight points to bring the Warriors back within five, 25-20.

The Warriors would score just four more point the rest of the quarter.

As for Fairfield, the Trojans ended the quarter with 13, to make it 38-24 after three.

In the fourth, Fairfield built its lead to as much as 14 at 46-32 with just under three minutes to go.

Van Buren didn’t wavier though as they would cut it down to six at 51-45. Time wasn’t on their side though as the Trojans were able to ride it out from the stripe.

For Van Buren, Davison led with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Addison Brauns finished with five points and nine rebounds. Marlee Mertens had five points as well. Callie Kracht added four points and Annabelle Cormier had three. 2

Fairfield will be back in action on Friday against Washington on the road.

Van Buren will take on Columbus on Thursday.