By LARRY BARKER
Nevada Appeal News Service
FALLON " The Fallon Greenwave surged to an early 12-point lead, then made it stand up in a 52-43 Sierra League win over Carson on Saturday at Elmo Dericco Gym.
Dexter Daum led the early surge, scoring 11 points in the first quarter. Fallon raced to a 14-2 lead before the Senators knew what had hit them. Three-pointers by Daum and Garrett Adams helped to fuel the Wave's fast start.
"We came out really shooting the ball," Fallon coach Corey Williams said, "We ran some sets early and executed them very, very well. That got us the lead and then it was hold on for dear life."
Hold on Fallon did, but Carson made it interesting. Down 20-11 at the end of the first quarter, the Senators held Fallon to just five points in the second period and trimmed the Greenwave lead to four, 25-21, at halftime.
Senior guard Matt Rutledge and forward Paul Cagle III each hit a 3-pointer for Carson. The quarter included a long stretch where neither team scored. Fallon led 25-16 during that time before Carson closed the half with a five-point flurry that included Cagle's trey.
The Wave's shooting heated up again in the third quarter, as Garrett Adams, Russ Smith and Miles Adams each drained a three, building Fallon's lead back to nine, 40-31 heading into the fourth quarter.
Ten points in the final stanza by Cagle helped Carson keep it interesting, but the Senators never came closer than four the rest of the way. The partisan Fallon crowd gave their team as standing ovation as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Daum led all scorers with 17 points and Garrett Adams added 15 for Fallon. Cagle scored 16 and Brian Barnes added 11 for Carson.
"It's a great win," Williams said, "We beat a very solid, very well-coached Carson team. Anytime we win, it's great."
Winning is something Fallon's been doing a lot this season as it improved to 5-1 in Sierra League play and 13-3 overall. Carson dropped to 3-3 in league, 9-8 overall.
Carson coach Bruce Barnes was unavailable for comment following the game.
The win was Fallon's second over Carson in three weeks. The Greenwave edged the Senators, 55-52, in overtime to win the Capital Classic on Jan. 3. They will meet again on Feb.10 in Carson City.
Carson hosts Douglas on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.