The Lakeland women's basketball team traveled to Jamestown Community College on Wednesday night to play the Jayhawks in their season opener. After a tough opening half, the Lakers bounced back with a dominating 3rd quarter to help lead them to a 68-63 victory. After the first half, the Lakers trailed 36-27 as they struggled to connect from the field. Lakeland shot just 27% from the field in the first half (12-44); yet still only trailed by 9. Jamestown continued to carry the play early in the 3rd quarter as they pushed the lead to 16 points. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Lakeland adjusted by extending their pressure defense. With that change, they climbed back into the game and won the quarter 19-9; taking the lead heading into the 4th quarter. During the pivotal 3rd quarter, Gianna Pegoraro had 5 steals and added 4 points. Alesia Marshall added 2 steals and 6 points in the quarter while Zion Fussell added 2 steals and 4 points. Madison Fueger chipped in with 2 steals, a blocked shot, and 3 rebounds while Delaney Sullivan recorded 3 points and 3 rebounds.
With the game still in the balance starting the 4th quarter, Madison Fueger stepped up scoring 9 points and adding 3 more boards, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots. Mya James added 6 points in the quarter and Fussell added 5 more for the Lakers. The key plays down the stretch started when the Lakers trailed by 1 point. Mya James scored a layup on an assist from Alesia Marshall to give the Lakers a 63-62 advantage with 1:39 to play. After the teams traded turnovers, the Lakers were fouled and put on the line with the Jayhawks hoping the Lakers wouldn't convert. The Jayhawks gamble paid off as Lakeland missed both free throws; however, Madison Fueger fought for an offensive rebound and a put pack to extend the lead to 65-62 with 55 seconds to play. After a Jayhawk free throw, the Lakers committed a turnover giving the Jayhawks one last chance. Coming out of a timeout, Jamestown missed a 3-point attempt while Mya James collected the rebound. James was fouled immediately and she then stepped to the line and sank both free throws to seal the victory.
Madison Fueger led the way for the Lakers finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 3 blocked shots. Zion Fussell added 13 points, 3 steals, and 2 blocked shots while both Mya James and Delaney Sullivan scored 9 points for the Lakers. Sullivan also added 6 rebounds and 2 steals while James collected 5 steals and 2 boards for Lakeland. Alesia Marshall finished with 8 points for the Lakers while Gianna Pegoraro picked up 6 points, 8 steals, and 5 assists.
Gardy's Gab: "Sometimes the season opener is the hardest one to get. Early on we had the first game jitters, but we started to settle down throughout the game. This was a good team win and a nice start."
Next Up: On Friday night, the Lakers will have their home opener against St. Clair County Community College in Laker Gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00pm.