Before emerging victorious Monday evening by a score of 35-25, the Fayette Lady Falcons, seeded sixth in the 93rd Annual New Franklin Tournament, had get to back in the swing of things after Christmas break. 

“We won, but only after we shook off a rough start and some cobwebs in the first quarter,” said Fayette coach Brian Spielbauer. 

The cobwebs seemed to be affecting both teams as the score was 4-2 in favor of the third-seeded Sweet Springs Greyhounds at the end of the first quarter.

“The girls picked it up in the second quarter and did a good job on our press to pick up the pace of the game.”

Leading 16-11 at the half, Fayette put up 11 points in the third followed by 8 in the fourth to come away with the 35-25 victory.

Senior Laci Fuhlage led the Fayette charge by pouring in 13 points on the night. Fuhlage returns to the court Monday night after being forced to leave the game  with an injury in a 42-32 loss to Salisbury on December 21. Fuhlage received a cut near her left eye but seems to have recovered nicely. Fellow senior Sydney Spielbauer punched in nine points, while sophomore Allie Spielbauer added four.  Junior Hannah Quint and freshman LaSaydra Jackman each put in three points while sophomore Maddox Wells added two. Senior Emma Chew rounded out the scoring with one.

With the win, Fayette moves onto the winner’s bracket to play the second-seeded New Franklin tonight (Wednesday) in the new gym at 7:30 p.m. Sweet Springs will face the seventh seed, Westran, at 7 p.m. in the old gym.