Despite having four players from their regular rotation out and having another key player suffering injury during the game, the Fayette Lady Falcons battled to the end before falling to the Salisbury Panthers last Tuesday evening, 42-32.

“I’m very proud of our effort. We played great defense against Salisbury and held them to 13 points in the first half,” said Fayette head coach Brian Spielbauer. In addition to the defensive stand, the Lady Falcons were able to score 11 in that half to go into the locker room with the game well within reach at 13-11.

The third quarter saw Fayette score 12 while the Lady Panthers were able to put 15 on the board. The Falcons also suffered the loss of senior Laci Fuhlage as she took a blow to the face that trainer Rick Sage determined needed further medical attention. Fuhlage was transported to the ER by her parents where she received three stitches. 

Salisbury continued to pull away in the fourth to finish the game with the 10-point win.

Fuhlage led the Lady Falcons with 10 points in spite of departing in the middle of the third quarter. Junior Hannah Quint followed with eight points while senior Sydney Spielbauer added five. Freshman Allie Spielbauer put four in the points-scored column while sophomore Lasaydra Jackman contributed three. Freshman Melissa Innes rounded out the scoring for the Lady Falcons with two.

“It’s been a very tough stretch for us as we approach the break playing three very good teams in Harrisburg, Cairo, and Salisbury,” said Spielbauer. “We competed in long stretches against all three and I need to give them a lot of credit for how hard they played at home.

“I’m excited about where this team can get to by the end of the year if we keep working,” added coach Spielbauer. “We’ll rest up for a couple of days then have a great week of practice as we head into the New Franklin Tournament.”

Fayette will open play on January 3 in the New Franklin Tournament at 7:30 p.m. Fuhlage is expected to return to action at that point. “My eye is doing good,” she said. The stitches were expected to be removed on Tuesday.  “I’ll be all better to play for the New Franklin tournament.”

Following the tournament, the Lady Falcons will host Knox County on January 14 followed by a January 17 game in Fayette against North Callaway.

On January 20 they will travel to Brunswick before returning home againstSouth Callaway on January 21.