Falcons Fight to the Finish but Fall to Eagles in Fourth-Quarter Stunner

 In a game defined by momentum swings, the Folsom Lake Falcons couldn't hold off the Laney College Eagles, falling 72-65 at home on Thursday night. Despite a spirited comeback that saw the Falcons dominate the middle quarters, a fourth-quarter surge from the Eagles sealed the game.

Falcons' Mid-Game Revival
Folsom Lake started sluggishly, managing only nine points in the opening quarter while allowing Laney to build a 21-9 lead. But the second quarter brought renewed energy, with guard Jasmine Clee scoring six of her 12 points, and forward Athena Brombacher beginning to establish her presence in the paint. By halftime, the Falcons trimmed the deficit to five, 31-26.

The Falcons' best quarter came in the third, where they outscored the Eagles 23-12. Brombacher shone, scoring eight points on near-perfect shooting and grabbing critical rebounds. Guard Lexi Peters also came alive, knocking down two key three-pointers. Heading into the fourth quarter, Folsom Lake held a 49-43 advantage and looked poised to take control.

Laney's Fourth-Quarter Blitz
The final quarter, however, belonged to Laney. The Eagles shot an impressive 87.5% from the free-throw line, including critical late-game shots. The Eagles' 29-point fourth-quarter performance erased the Falcons' lead and secured the win.

Falcons' Bright Spots
Despite the loss, there were encouraging signs for Folsom Lake. Brombacher led the Falcons with 17 points and showcased efficient shooting, hitting 7-of-9 from the field. Peters added 11 points, including three treys, while Clee contributed 12 points and five rebounds.

Reserve forward Livi Fernandez also impressed, leading all players with eight rebounds while chipping in four points. However, the Falcons struggled from the three-point line, shooting just 26.9%, and missed critical free throws down the stretch, converting only 57.1%.

Coach's Take
Falcons head coach Ali Mollet commended the team's effort but noted the need for consistency.
"We showed resilience in the second and third quarters, but we need to maintain that intensity for 40 minutes," Mollet said. "Laney is a tough team, and they capitalized on our mistakes in the fourth. There's a lot to learn from this game, and we'll be better for it."

Looking Ahead
The loss drops Folsom Lake to 8-2 on the season. The Falcons will look to rebound this weekend as they take on Mission College. The defeat underscores their potential—and the importance of closing out games against strong opponents.