Fairfield has chances but comes up short

Showalter’s free throws prove difference for host Lebanon, 46-44.

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12:22 AM Tuesday, February 7, 2012

By Scott Hayes

Staff Writer

LEBANON — Samantha Showalter sank two free throws with 44 seconds remaining to give Lebanon a one-point lead Monday night, then watched from the bench as her teammates held on for a 46-44 win over Fairfield.

The Lebanon sophomore — who led all scorers with 18 points, including 12-of-15 from the line — fouled out seconds after giving the Warriors a 45-44 lead. She held her breath as the Indians failed to convert on three possessions in the final 30 seconds — including a pair of missed free throws with three ticks remaining that could have forced overtime.

“My free throws have been on and off this year, so I was happy I was able to concentrate and hit them tonight,” Showalter said. “Once I fouled out, I knew my teammates would pick me up and we’d come out on top.”

The Indians (4-15) did everything but win on the scoreboard, forcing 31 turnovers, outrebounding the Warriors 48-37 and getting off almost twice as many field goal attempts (Fairfield was 19-of-65 from the field; Lebanon was 13-of-37).

But Lebanon (9-10) ruled at the free throw line, making 20-of-33 attempts while the Indians were just 5-of-18. “We missed some shots at the end that we would hope to make and there were a lot of coulda-shoulda-wouldas left out there,” Fairfield coach Dave Loper said. “But I can’t fault this team’s effort.

“You’d think, at 4-15, that these girls would be down on the season, but they’re the most positive group I’ve ever seen. Hopefully, before it’s over, we’ll have something to celebrate.”

Fairfield’s bench was a big contributor on the night as they came up with 28 of the team’s 44 points.

Kaitlyn Mueller scored 10 to pace the Indians, including a three-pointer early in the fourth that gave Fairfield a 37-34 lead, erasing a nine-point deficit. Ashley Ricks came off the bench to score eight points while Jonai Jones grabbed 10 rebounds in the first half in a substitute role.

Adrianna Stewart grabbed 13 boards to lead all players while also scoring six points.

Gracen Howard was Lebanon’s top rebounder with 12, including the final rebound with three seconds remaining to secure the victory. Leah Perry was Lebanon’s only other scorer in double figures with 10.

“The numbers aren’t the best for us tonight, but for a young team, finding a way to win when you aren’t playing your best is a good sign of the maturation process,” Lebanon coach Rob Hodges said. “Fairfield did some things that got us off our game and we turned it over too much.

“But the girls found a way to take on the challenge and somehow get a win when our top two scorers fouled out and we couldn’t grab a rebound. That was exhausting. I’m spent.”

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