Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — There’s no such thing as a good loss.

Well, except for maybe…

The Fairland Lady Dragons lost Saturday in the Big E Classic, but it was 40-32 to the defending Division III state champion Columbus Africentric Lady Nubians.

“We were in it the whole time. I don’t believe in moral victories, but we built some confidence,” said Buchanan.

“The biggest thing is we handled the ball real well. We turned it over, but for the most part we handled the ball real well. They like to pressure you and turn you over and score. We did a pretty good job against it.”

Mackenzie Riley scored 10 points and Caitlin Stone 8 points for the Lady Dragons (3-3).

Africentric was led by Kennedy Azubike with 13 points and Dayuna Johnson had 9.

Fairland led 11-10 at the end of the first quarter, but Azubike had 7 points in the second quarter as Africentric outscored Fairland 16-8 to take a 26-19 lead at the half.

Africentric extended its lead to 36-25, but Fairland wouldn’t quit.

Riley was 6 of 8 from the foul line in the fourth quarter as Fairland got within 3 points twice only to miss open 3-point goal attempts over the final minute of play.

“We had two good looks and just missed the shots. That’s all you can ask for is a chance,” said Buchanan.

Fairland hosts Portsmouth on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Africentric 10 16 10 4 = 40

Fairland 11 8 6 7 = 32

AFRICENTRIC (5-1): Dayuna Johnson 1 2 1-2 9, Renee Waters 1 0 0-0 2, Taylor Nixon 0 0 2-2 2, N. Butler 0 0 0-1 0, Kennedy Azubike 6 0 1-2 13, Dejanique Franks 1 0 1-4 3, De’jae Denham 2 0 0-0 4, T. Shaw 1 0 0-0 2, Leah Morrow 2 0 1-2 5. Totals: 14 2 6-13 40. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

FAIRLAND (3-3): Emily Chapman 0 1 0-0 3, Maddy Kazee 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Staten 0 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie Riley 2 0 6-8 10, Kelsey Riley 1 0 4-6 6, Caitlin Stone 1 2 0-0 8, Jenna Fulks 1 3-4 5. Totals: 5 3 13-18 32. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Fulks.