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Lady ‘Billies beat Falconer

FALCONER — Fredonia coach Mark Putney stressed the importance of making high-pressure free throws to his new team, weeks before Fredonia’s first game in November.

Wednesday, Grace Mroczka did just that.

After missing the first free throw with only a second to go in a tied game on the road, Mroczka hit the game-winning free throw to give the Fredonia Lady ‘Billies a 48-47 win over Falconer on the road in a non-league girls basketball contest at Falconer High School.

Fredonia (6-4) led by double digits early, in a first quarter where the Lady ‘Billies were “on fire,” according to Putney. Fredonia hit five 3-pointers in the opening frame and led 26-11 after the first quarter.

Falconer (4-8) “slowly crawled back,” according to Putney, and eventually tied the game late in the fourth quarter. Then, with just seconds remaining, Mroczka got fouled on a shot after an in-bound play, with just one second remaining. Her team-leading 11th point of the night was the game’s final point — and its most crucial.

“It was a very gritty effort. It’s hard playing a team twice,” said Putney, who saw his Fredonia team come out on top 63-45 when the same two teams met in Fredonia on Dec. 20. “I’m very proud of my girls for fighting through adversity.”

Mroczka also added five rebounds to her 11 points. Ally Walton-Bald had eight points, Anna Buchanan had eight rebounds and four steals, Kazlin Beers had six points, four assists and two steals, while Nagely Vazquez had a team-high four blocks. Samantha Tabone hit a pair of 3-pointers.

Fredonia can’t afford to celebrate too long, however, as the Lady ‘Billies host Southwestern in a league contest tonight at Fredonia High School.

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