Galena girls too much for Fallon

FALLON - The Lady Wave basketball team gave Galena a scare for the first half Tuesday, but the Grizzlies pulled away in the second half for a 67-37 High Desert League win at Elmo Dericco Gym.

Galena earned its third straight win against Fallon to improve to 12-5 overall, 2-1 in the HDL. Fallon falls to 1-11 and 0-3 in league play.

"We were pleased to put ourselves in a situation that was there for taking," said Fallon coach Scott Meihack.

Fallon fell behind 8-2 in the first quarter as the Grizzlies' Colleen Kern scored on two layups and a 15-foot jump shot.

The Greenwave started chipping away at Galena's lead and eventually took a 9-8 lead after Bailey Corkill banked a shot and then followed with a layup.

Kern's layup gave Galena the lead, but Sara Parson's turn around jump shot from inside the arc put the Wave on top, 11-10, going into the second quarter.

"We didn't contain them well in the first half," said Galena coach Karen Friel.

Fallon turned the ball over only four times in the first qarter and outrebounded Galena 7 to 6.

The Grizzlies pulled away from Fallon in the second quarter on an 11-0 run. After Corkill nailed a 10-foot jump shot, Fallon had problems handling Galena's full court press. Langley Iverson worked the inside and baseline to score six points.

Paige Olivo, who led Fallon with nine points, scored seven of her points in the final three minutes. She connected on a short set shot and then hit a long 3-pointer with 1:32 left before halftime.

Galena scored the final three points of the quarter for a 33-22 lead at halftime.

"I felt we were fortunate to be up at halftime. I felt Fallon outplayed us," Freil said.

Galena and Fallon traded baskets early in the third quarter before Galena took advantage of 11 turnovers to surge ahead on an 18-0 run. Iverson, Kern and Amy Scott ignited Galena to a 57-24 lead.

Friel said once Galena begins to pick up its game, then opponents find it difficult to contain Scott and Iverson.

Scott finished the game with 10 points, and Iverson had 16. Kern led all scorers with 17 points.

Meihack said the third quarter has been difficult for Fallon because the teams come out ready.

"You can never condition for game-like experience," Meihack said.

"The girls were tired in the second half. We don't have the numbers to play with that intensity," Meihack said.

Fallon suited up nine players. Kate Pinder did not suit up because of illness.

"Kate subs for us at both guard and forward positions," Meihack said.

Fallon settled down in the final quarter and outscored Galena, 11-10. Although Iverson and Scott each had putback baskets, Gandolfo and Alyssa Meihack combined for six points, and Jennifer Franklin scored the game's final basket for Fallon.

Parsons, Bailey and Corkill each scored six points, while Fowler and Alex Franklin each added five points.