FSU Women's Basketball Team Wins WVIAC Title
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- WVIAC Tournament MVP Ashley Vavrek scored 31 points to lead Fairmont State to an overtime victory over West Liberty 85-78, in the WVIAC Championship game. Rachel Murray notched season-highs in both points (23) and rebounds (23) along with four blocks. With the win the Falcons secured a berth in the NCAA tournament.
For brackets and full coverage of the NCAA tournament, visit www.fightingfalcons.com.
Mo Gattuso came up with a double-double 10 points and 13 rebounds. Lauren Gilbert
continued her solid play off the bench with 10 points.
Tori Hansen led the Hilltoppers with 23 points. Andy Winney added 10.
West Liberty got off to a quick start gaining a 4-0 advantage, Fairmont State answered
with a 7-2 run capped by a Vavrek three that gave FSU a 7-6 lead early. The Hilltoppers
went on a 9-1 just past the midway point of the half to open up a 26-18 lead. Fairmont
State bounced back with a 12-3 spurt with Murray providing a traditional three point
play. WL closed the half scoring four of the final six points to take a 34-32 lead
into the locker room.
The difference in the first twenty minutes was that WL made five threes to the Falcons
two; however the Hilltoppers attempted 14 to FSU's six. Hansen scored 13 points to
lead West Liberty. Murray provided the Falcons with 11 points, nine rebounds and two
blocks and Vavrek added nine points. Fairmont State held a 24-19 margin on the boards
in the first half.
A 7-0 jolt by West Liberty early in the second half broke a 40-40 tie putting the
Toppers out front 47-40. FSU stormed back with an 11-4 run to tie the game at 51-51
with just over 10 minutes to play. An 8-0 burst gave FSU a 59-56 lead, but a trio
of threes put the Hilltoppers back in front 65-59 with just under six minutes to play.
A three from Vavrek cut the deficit to two at 68-66 with 1:42 on the clock. Following
a Hilltopper miss Vavrek was fouled and went to the line and drained a pair of free
throws to tie the game at 68-68. WL was fouled on the other end and sank two free
throws to go back on top 70-68. Vavrek went back to the line and put two more free
throws away to tie the game once again at 70-70. Murray came up with a huge block
on Hansen's attempt at a buzzer beater sending the game into overtime.
Gattuso provided a huge spark for FSU scoring six of the first eight points of the
extra session to give FSU a 76-72 lead. Following a WL three the Falcons got a bucket
from Vavrek and a pair of free throws from Murray to gain their largest lead of the
game at 81-74. Vavrek made 4-of-4 free throws down the stretch to seal the 85-78 win.
Vavrek, Murray and Snyder all made the all-tournament team for Fairmont State.
Ashley Vavrek scored 31 points to lead Fairmont State to an overtime victory over
West Liberty 85-78, in the WVIAC Championship game. Rachel Murray notched season-highs
in both points (23) and rebounds (23) along with four blocks. With the win the Falcons
secure a berth in the NCAA tournament and will find out who they play tomorrow evening
at 9 p.m.
Mo Gattuso came up with a double-double 10 points and 13 rebounds. Lauren Gilbert
continued her solid play off the bench with 10 points.
Tori Hansen led the Hilltoppers with 23 points. Andy Winney added 10.
West Liberty got off to a quick start gaining a 4-0 advantage, Fairmont State answered
with a 7-2 run capped by a Vavrek three that gave FSU a 7-6 lead early. The Hilltoppers
went on a 9-1 just past the midway point of the half to open up a 26-18 lead. Fairmont
State bounced back with a 12-3 spurt with Murray providing a traditional three point
play. WL closed the half scoring four of the final six points to take a 34-32 lead
into the locker room.
The difference in the first twenty minutes was that WL made five threes to the Falcons
two; however the Hilltoppers attempted 14 to FSU's six. Hansen scored 13 points to
lead West Liberty. Murray provided the Falcons with 11 points, nine rebounds and two
blocks and Vavrek added nine points. Fairmont State held a 24-19 margin on the boards
in the first half.
A 7-0 jolt by West Liberty early in the second half broke a 40-40 tie putting the
Toppers out front 47-40. FSU stormed back with an 11-4 run to tie the game at 51-51
with just over 10 minutes to play. An 8-0 burst gave FSU a 59-56 lead, but a trio
of threes put the Hilltoppers back in front 65-59 with just under six minutes to play.
A three from Vavrek cut the deficit to two at 68-66 with 1:42 on the clock. Following
a Hilltopper miss Vavrek was fouled and went to the line and drained a pair of free
throws to tie the game at 68-68. WL was fouled on the other end and sank two free
throws to go back on top 70-68. Vavrek went back to the line and put two more free
throws away to tie the game once again at 70-70. Murray came up with a huge block
on Hansen's attempt at a buzzer beater sending the game into overtime.
Gattuso provided a huge spark for FSU scoring six of the first eight points of the
extra session to give FSU a 76-72 lead. Following a WL three the Falcons got a bucket
from Vavrek and a pair of free throws from Murray to gain their largest lead of the
game at 81-74. Vavrek made 4-of-4 free throws down the stretch to seal the 85-78 win.
Vavrek, Murray and Snyder all made the all-tournament team for Fairmont State.
