FSU Women Claim WVIAC Championship
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- WVIAC Tournament MVP Danielle Cornish scored 19 points and grabbed
14 rebounds to lead Fairmont State to a 63-49 win over WV Wesleyan Saturday night,
March 1, at the Charleston Civic Center to claim the 2008 WVIAC Championship.
Gabby Gattuso added 20 points, and Ashley Vavrek scored 12 points to help FSU to
its first title in women's basketball since 1984.
"We're extremely proud of our team," head coach Steve McDonald said. "One of the
thoughts that I have about this tournament for us is that it exemplified the concept
of team. It exemplified why we coach college basketball, and why they play college
basketball. This was a total team effort all week."
The Falcons held the Bobcats to just 33 percent shooting on the day. In Fairmont
State's previous meeting against WVWC, the Bobcats shot 55 percent -- the most by
an opponent this season. WV Wesleyan was led in scoring by Brandi Wynn. FSU limited
WVIAC Player of the Year Sarah Van Horn to just 10 points.
"Defensively we did a good job of getting out on their shooters," Cornish said. "Van
Horn is such a good player, I have so much respect for her. When she gets the ball,
it's hard to guard her. We did a decent job of denying her the ball and then getting
pressure on the people who pass her the ball."
Gattuso and Cornish helped steady Fairmont State in the early going scoring the first
five baskets in the half to take a 10-7 lead. WV Wesleyan took a 30 second timeout
to regroup, and the Bobcats responded with a 9-0 run mindway through the half. WVWC
maintained its six point lead for most of the way until threes from Vavrek and Wanichko
helped to even things up late in the half and the two teams went into the half tied,
24-24, at the break.
Fairmont State committed 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. However, on FSU possessions
on which it got off a shot, the Falcons shot 50 percent. WV Wesleyan shot 35 percent
in the first half.
Leading 35-33 with 14:18 to go, Fairmont State went on a 15-6 run over the next five
minutes to build its largest lead of the game at 50-39. Vavrek helped spark the run
with a three-pointer, a layup, a steal and a jumper.
After a timeout, WVWC slowed FSU's momentum with a three-pointer from the corner,
making it 50-42 with just under nine minutes to play. Fairmont State's defense continued
to shine, forcing the Bobcats into bad shots and continuing to deny Van Horn any good
looks. The Falcons also were efficient on the glass, not allowing WV Wesleyan any
second chances.
Offensively, Fairmont State did enough to build its lead to 59-43 with 4:05 left,
but there were moments of trepidation down the stretch. The Bobcats got it to within
10 at 59-49, but Gattuso came up with a big bucket off of WVWC pressure and a perfect
feed from Cornish. From there on out, it was just a matter of time before Fairmont
State came away with the win.
Cornish was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Gattuso and Jaimie Merinar.
Lucia Darling and Van Horn represented Wesleyan. Glenville State had tournament high
scorer Donita Adams and Karina Kendrick on the squad. The ten-player team was rounded
out by Randi Cary (WV State), Samm Nester (Concord), and Katie Warehime (Shepherd).
Merinar was presented the George Springer Individual Sportsmanship Award. Glenville
State's Miranda Reed was selected as for the Commissioner's Heart & Hustle Award.
Fairmont State earns an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Division II East Regional.
Fellow WVIAC members Shepherd and West Liberty State are also expected to be selected
when bids are issued on Sunday, March 9.
