Washington tops Fairfield for first win of 2023

WASHINGTON — Washington girls basketball left off 2022 with a tight loss to Fort Madison, but the Demons put together five wins up until that point as well.

On Friday, the Demons added yet another win to their season total, downing Fairfield 62-33.

It’s been a tough season for the Trojans, but they came into the Friday night matchup on a high note, notching their second win of the season with a win over Van Buren County.

With the Demons win, they complete the season sweep of the Trojans.

For two quarters of action between the two teams, it was a close one, but the Demons dominated the second half to win it.

After trading buckets throughout the opening stages of the first quarter, Washington held just a two point advantage, 16-14 with under two minutes to play.

The Demon’s Alex Murphy hit a two in the final moments to give Washington an 18-14 lead after one.

To begin the second, Fairfield’s Ashlyn Lisk drilled a three and Maddie Jones scored two to give the Fairfield a 19-18 lead.

Fairfield would struggle the rest of the quarter though, scoring just one free throw with 1:31 remaining.

As for Washington, back-to-back buckets from Leighton Messinger kicked off a 10-1 run to the halftime whistle.

At the break, the Demons led 28-20.

To start the third, Washington quickly made it a 12 point ballgame, 32-20, with baskets from Makenna Conrad and Messinger.

That jumped started what would be an 11-4 run until the 3:30 mark, in which Washington held a 39-24 lead.

Following a timeout by Fairfield, the Trojans were able to cut it back to single digits with a 8-2 run capped off by a Savannah Hollander three.

Washington ended with three straight to go back up 12, 44-32.

In the fourth, it was all Washington.

The Demons held the Trojans to just one point, while pouring in 18 of their own.

Murphy got the Demons going in the quarter with four straight baskets to start the quarter.

She finished with a team high 15 points for the Demons. Conrad added 11 points.

With the win, the Demons improve to 6-3, while the Trojans drop to 2-9 with the loss.