FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Sophomore Akron transfer Brooke Kurucz netted 35 points to lead Fairmont State to a season-opening 76-62 victory over Lock Haven on Friday afternoon on the opening day of the MEC/PSAC Challenge, presented by McDonalds, the JW Ebert Corporation.
Kurucz went 11-of-21 from the field, 7-of-14 from three and 6-of-7 from the free throw line and also chipped in seven rebounds and two assists in her FSU debut this afternoon.
Fairmont State (1-0), who began the season with five new starters, were a very fundamentally sound basketball team in the opener, turning the ball over just eight times.
Fairmont State grabbed the lead at the 3:57 mark of the opening quarter following a Kurucz three-pointer and never trailed again in the victory. Fairmont State held a double-digit advantage for a majority of the second half.
Despite shooting just 38.8 percent from the field in the win, the Falcons drained 11 three-pointers, a feat that FSU accomplished just once a season ago. Lock Haven cooled down from the field in the second half, shooting just 31 percent from the field after a blistering 51.8 percent performance in the opening half.
Hope Bray also chipped in seven points for the FSU offense and a trio of players bucketed six points in the victory; including Sierra Kotchman, Ozge Yarga and Presley Tuttle.
Kelli Jo Harrison led FSU with eight rebounds and six steals in the win.
Jordyn Kloster (11) and Ahnera Parker (10) each reached double figures for the Bald Eagles in the loss.
The Falcons will now prepare for a 5 p.m. matchup with Clarion University on Saturday evening at Joe Retton Arena. Clarion opened the year with a 73-66 win over Concord in the opening game of the day to begin the season 1-0.
