Circleville started a stretch of five road games over its next six contests on Tuesday by holding off a second half run by host Fairfield Union to record a 45-40 Mid-State League Buckeye Division win.
“It’s always good to go over to Fairfield Union and get a win, because it’s an extremely tough place to play,” Circleville coach Brian Bigam said.
Faith Yancey poured in a game-high 18 points to lead the Tigers, and Morgan Blakeman and Maddie Blakeman added 11 points apiece.
Yancey helped the Tigers end the first quarter with a 12-10 lead by scoring two field goals, including an old-fashioned three-point play during the period.
The Circleville junior took over in the second quarter, scoring nine points on three field goals, including a triple, and a pair of free throws to help the Tigers widen their advantage to 26-18 at the break.
“Faith really stepped up and did a nice job of carrying us offensively during the first half,” Bigam noted.
Circleville could only muster six points, four courtesy of Yancey, in the third quarter, as Fairfield Union closed its deficit to two possessions going into the final period of play.
“Fairfield Union made some nice adjustments offensively in the second half and made a run to make it a tight game,” Bigam said.
The Blakeman sisters helped the Tigers secure a road win in the fourth. Morgan and Maddie accounted for a pair of field goals and two free throws apiece.
Circleville finished the night 12 of 16 (75 percent) at the free throw line, compared to Fairfield Union only hitting 2 of 7 (28.6 percent) attempts.
“I was proud of the way our girls hung in there and made our free throws down the stretch,” Bigam said. “Morgan made two big free throws when it was a two-point game and she stepped to the free throw line for a one-and-one.”
Elly Lewis scored 16 points and Isabella Neal added 13 for the Falcons (4-8, 4-6).
Circleville (10-3, 5-3) returns to the friendly confines of the Horizon Gymnasium on Saturday for its only home game until Jan. 28 when it entertains league rival Logan Elm (4-10, 0-8).
Circleville 45, Fairfield Union 40
CIRCLEVILLE — Morgan Blakeman 4-3-11, Faith Yancey 7-3-18, Makya Cockerham 1-0-2, Maddie Blakeman 3-5-11, Maddux Bigam 1-1-3. Three-point goals — Yancey. Total — 16 12-16 45.
FAIRFIELD UNION — Elly Lewis 6-0-16, Christian Thompson 0-2-2, Jillian Wilkinson 0-1-1, Isabella Neal 6-0-13, Taylor Smeck 1-0-3, Nicole Terry 2-1-5. Three-point goals — Lewis (4), Neal (3) and Smeck. Total — 15 2-7 40.
Quarter scores 1 2 3 4 F
Circleville 12 14 6 13 45
Fairfield Union 10 8 9 13 40
Coming to Circleville this September!