Falcons Blow Away the Golden Tornadoes

HOLLAND, Mich. – The Falcons claimed a victory in the consolation game of the Hope Tip-Off Tournament over Geneva on Saturday. The Blue and White improve to 1-1 with the 81-72 victory.

The Falcons and Golden Tornadoes found themselves in a track meet in the first quarter with the Falcons holding onto a 28-23 lead after 10 minutes. The Falcons briefly trailed in the first quarter, but trailing, 11-12, freshman Ava Booth (Plymouth, Wis.) drained a three-point basket and the Falcons never trailed the rest of the game. Junior Erin Viergutz (Clintonville, Wis.) led all players with nine points in the first quarter.

The Golden Tornadoes cut the CUW lead to a point at 30-29, and CUW responded with a 15-4 run to push the lead to 45-33. The birds then went into halftime with a 47-43 lead.

The two teams fought back and forth in the third quarter and were tied at 49 with 7:51 left in the quarter. Ava Booth ballooned the lead to 65-53 with a fastbreak layup off a turnover. CUW went into the final frame with a 65-56 lead.

The Falcons never let Geneva get closer than six points in the fourth quarter and preserved the victory. Senior Reagan Obry (Neenah, Wis.) had two of the four CUW steals in the fourth quarter.

Erin Viergutz led the Falcons for the second-straight day with 19 points and was named to the All-Tournament Team. She also finished with a team-high eight rebounds with sophomore Lindsey Lonigro (Deerfield, Wis.).

The Falcons open NACC play on Wednesday against Concordia Chicago.