A 16-2 Fairmont third-quarter spurt broke open a 5-point game and propelled the Lady Tornadoes to a 47-28 non-conference girls basketball victory over visiting West Bladen Wednesday night.
Junior Akira Grimes nailed a 17-foot jumper from the right wing to begin the second half and pull the Lady Knights to within 18-13. However senior Marsha Clewis threw in six straight points to ignite a 10-0 Fairmont run.
After Lady Knight junior Logan Autry canned a 15-footer to interrupt the run, Fairmont reeled off 6 more unanswered points for a 34-15 lead.
West sophmore Elizabeth Allbright put back a rebound, and Grimes popped in a 15-footer to keep the Lady Knights within 36-19 at the quarter break.
Grimes drained a 3-pointer to start the final period, but Fairmont responded with 7 straight points to up the count to 43-22.
Lady Knight junior Kaylee Stevens sank 2 free throws, freshman Erika McKoy flipped in a runner, and junior Alanna Ludlum drove for a lay-up to close out the West scoring.
Junior Laikyn Pait just missed a double-double for the Lady Knights with 9 points and 9 rebounds. Grimes followed with 7 points. Allbright grabbed 6 rebounds, and junior Jerena Purdie collected 4 rebounds.
The Lady Tornadoes opened the game with 8 straight points. Pait scored the first Lady Knight basket with a follow shot, and McKoy added a free throw, but Fairmont led 12-3 at the quarter break.
Pait bombed in a 3-point shot to start the second period then tossed in an 8-footer to keep West within 14-8. After an Autry free throw, Pait banked in a short jumper to narrow the gap to 16-11. Fairmont led 18-11 at halftime.
Clewis and sophmores Krishay Moore and Destiny McMillian shared scoring honors for Fairmont with 10 points each.
West Bladen, now 1-2, will host Purnell Swett Friday night.
West Bladen (28) – Alanna Ludlum 2, Kaylee Stevens 2, Erika McKoy 3, Kassidy Anderson, Logan Autry 3, Laikyn Pait 9, Jenna Dove, Elizabeth Allbright 2, Akira Grimes 7, Jerena Purdie.
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