Round One Goes to Falcons, 61-54

It was bombs away Thursday in the gymnasium.

Hartford Public canned nine three-point baskets, but Fermi came back from an early deficit to defeat the Owls, 61-54 in Central Connecticut Conference East girls basketball action.

Toni Alexander, who missed a good deal of action with an early-season injury, led the winners with 21 points, including 15 in the second half, when the Falcons pulled away after taking a one-point lead into halftime.

"There's clearly a learning curve here," Fermi coach Sean Sweeney said. "We didn't have Toni for a while, but now she's back, and a better regular influence. At halftime we talked really briefly, and I told her she needs to have the ball in her hands, simply because she's the calming effect on everybody."

After trailing 5-0 early, Hartford Public ran off eight straight points, including a pair of treys by Deshanae Brown. The Owls twice extended their lead to seven in the second quarter, before Fermi took the lead for good on a Stacey Kraucunas basket just seven seconds before intermission.

The Falcons came out flying in the second half, registering the first 10 points of the third quarter, including a three-pointer by Alexander, her second of three in the game. A 9-2 spurt enabled Hartford Public to close within four, but Fermi gradually pulled away in the fourth quarter, opening the gap to 12 before the Owls scored the final five points of the night.

"Hartford is much better than people think they are," Sweeney said. "I didn't tell my team that before the game, because we need to have a little confidence, but they are quick and athletic."

 Kerry Davis had 11 points to join Alexander in double figures for the Falcons (2-11). Taylor Droney contributed a solid defensive effort, hauling down 11 rebounds.

Candice Wilkins and Tiasha Grant each had 14 points for the Owls (4-10), while Brown and Jequanna Orr contributed 11 points apiece.

The two teams are scheduled to meet up again Friday in Hartford at 3:45 p.m.