The Faribault Falcons led most of the first half, but too many turnovers eventually caught up with them Saturday night in a Big Nine Conference los at home to the previously winless Mankato East Cougars.  Earlier this week Faribault got their first win of the season in the first round of their Holiday Tournament.  A 65-28 victory over Spectrum-Prairie Seeds.  Then Faribault lost to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown in the championship.  The Falcons were confident they would pick up their first conference win of the year at home Saturday night.  23 turnovers resulting in 18 Mankato East points spelled doom for that to happen.  Mankato East 5'10 Sophomore Shayla Karge hit the floor hard in the first half and was helped off the court with what appeared to be lower back issues, she returned like a player possessed and took over the game.  Karge tallied 25 points, including 13 of 21 from the free throw line.  Her 13 makes equaled Faribault's total attempts in the game.  The Cougars were 23 of 40 and Faribault 6 of 13 from the so called charity stripe.  Mankato East won 54-47 and the only reason the game ended that close after being tied at the half at 23 was an incredible flurry in the final couple minutes by the never say die Falcons.  Faribault was led by Ellery Akemann's 11 points (all scored in the first half before fouling out with 9:40 to go in the game).  Junior Elana Palmer added 10 points and blocked multiple shots and Freshman Breanna Bresnahan did most of the lockdown defensive work on Cougar sharpshooter Bre Satre who finished with just two field goals.  Bresnahan also scored 9 points.  Mankato East is now 1-8 and 1-5 in the Big Nine and Faribault dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-6 in conference play.  The Falcons are at Mankato West Tuesday, at Rochester Mayo Friday and on POWER 96 radio and host New Ulm at 5 Saturday evening.  The Falcons started three Freshmen and two Juniors Saturday night.

 

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