Garwick's Record Setting Night Not Enough as Lady Eagles Fall

The Lady Eagles took on the Barclay College Lady Bears in the first round of the MCCC tournament this past weekend.  Faith won the regular season match up against Barclay (54-41), but Barclay had improved since the early season game.  The game started out close with both teams trading basket for basket, but at the twelve minute mark the Lady Bears would go on a 16-2 run in just four minutes to separate themselves from the Lady Eagles.  Laura Garwick found herself in foul trouble with 3 fouls and had to sit most of the first half.  Faith would give up six 3 pointers to the Lady Bears in the first half.  Barclay took a 13 point lead into halftime (34-21).

Faith would come out and play a much better second half, but could not overcome the 13 point first half deficit.  Foul trouble really hurt the small Lady Eagles team as two players would get called for 4 fouls and Laura Garwick would foul out.  Faith lost the game with a final score of 64-48.  Ashley Pearson would grab a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.  Holly Shepard finished with a team high 16 points, and chipped in 5 rebounds as well.  Alyssa Larson would add 6 points off the bench as well as 9 rebounds.

After losing to Barclay College on Thursday evening, the Lady Eagles would face Emmaus Bible College for the third time this year on Friday night.  Faith lost by 6 points at Emmaus, and won by 2 at home during the regular season.  Friday's game would not disappoint either as it was a close game just like both regular season games.  It was the story of two half's for the Lady Eagles.  In the first half Emmaus would shoot 45% from the field included making ten 3 pointers.  Faith could not match the scoring show that Emmaus put on as they trailed at half time by 16 points (49-33).

Faith went to a box and one defense to try and slow Emmaus down in the second half.  Faith would battle back the whole second half, and cut the Emmaus lead to just four with 2:33 left in the game.  During the next minute and a half the Lady Eagles would fail to capitalize on opportunities to tie the game.  Emmaus was able to hold on and win the game with a final score of 72-68.  Laura Garwick would set a school record scoring 41 points in the game.  She was 13-24 from the field, and 14-18 from the free throw line.  Shannon Steffen would score 13 points, and chipped in 4 assists and 3 rebounds.  Ashley Pearson had 7 points and 14 rebounds.

Faith will travel to Ellendale, ND next weekend for the Regional Tournament.  Their first round match up will be against the host school Trinity Bible College.  Faith lost to the Lady Lions by 3 (51-48) earlier in the regular season.  The game is set to tip off at 6:00 PM on Friday night.