Trojans hang on for second straight win

FAIRFIELD — Nothing came easy for the Fairfield girls basketball team after a 13-0 start against Van Buren County on Monday. The Trojans had to keep their composure after a furious comeback effort, but managed to hold on for 43-42 victory over the Warriors.

Van Buren County went on a 13-0 run of its own to tie the game at 35 in the fourth. It nearly came back from a 42-35 deficit with 38 seconds to play.

Sophia Jirak hit a 3-pointer to make it a four point game. Fairfield proceeded to turn the ball over on consecutive possessions, which led to two made free throws by Daphny Wells and a layup by Adalyn Snowgren.

With the game suddenly knotted up at 42, Snowgren fouled Fairfield’s Faith Jones in the backcourt. The mistake sent Jones to the line for two free throws.

Jones went 1 of 2. Van Buren County had one last gasp down one with 7.7 seconds left.

After taking it the length of the court, VBC got the ball into the hands of Kayley Snowgren, who was wide-open and nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key. But the pass arrived too late for her to get the shot off in time and Fairfield survived VBC’s emphatic comeback.

“We’ll take the win any way it looks,” Fairfield coach Brian Witzenburg said. “Being in that situation, these kids haven’t been in that situation very often. So, for us to not give up the lead and not totally panic and to compose ourselves, that was really good to see.”

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Fairfield wouldn’t have had a seven point cushion to withstand a few late turnover left if it wasn’t for Vanessa Kessel. With the game tied at 35, sophomore scored four quick points and had a steal, which lead to a layup for Emma Metcalf.

Kessel was the only Trojan in double figures with a team-high 12 points. She added three rebounds, one assist and two steals.

“Just really willing to do anything it takes for our team and that’s a big component, and I’m really proud of her for that,” senior Elyse Setterstrom said of Kessel. “It also helps that she’s able to make those big plays.”

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Fairfield looked like it was set to cruise to victory after scoring the first 13 points. VBC turned up its defense in the second quarter, which saw just 14 combined points.

The Trojans were held to 17 points in the second and third quarters after outscoring the Warriors 17-5 in the first. VBC tallied 11 steals but was unable to churn out scoring runs of its own until the final period.

“They were going to make a run at us, it was when,” Witzenburg said. “So, we had been talking about it and we were ready for it. So, to not give up a lead and they only tied it — we did not trail in the whole game. So that was huge to keep that confidence.”

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Adalyn Snowgren led the Warriors with 24 points, 12 of which game at the free-throw line. She converted a four-point play to bring VBC within three in the fourth and added six boards, one assist and three steals.

“They didn’t quit,” Warriors coach Randy Smith said. “We didn’t play very good the first three quarters and then Snowgren got us going. She hit some big shots and she’s going to be a real special player.”

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The Warriors lived at the line in the second half, which allowed them to cut into Fairfield’s lead without time coming off the clock. They entered the bonus with 4:24 left and shot 18 of 24 in the narrow defeat.

Marlee Mertens finished with seven points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals for VBC. Jirak had six points, two rebounds and two assists.

Fairfield (3-8, 1-4 Southeast) secured its third victory of the season and first win at home. The Trojans will look to keep their momentum going with back-to-back home games against Pekin on Friday before SEC play resumes against Ft. Madison on Saturday.

“It really just gives us confidence and trust in each other,” Setterstrom said. “I’m really excited that we have a winning streak and that we’ve won three games, and I’m motivated to get more.”

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