The Falcons got things off to a solid start in their six-team event, opening with a 49-37 win over the LCBI Bisons on Friday afternoon.
But it was anything but easy.
The Bisons took a 9-5 lead out of the first quarter and continued to hold a narrow 20-19 edge at the break before the Falcons took control with a 24-point third quarter. They’d hold a 43-28 lead by the time the final frame came around, and a continued run of solid defence would see them hold on for the win.
Chiamaka Aghamelu scored 15 points to lead Cornerstone, Kira Berggren had 10 points for LCBI.
The tournament continues at Cornerstone with Herbert playing Unity and Meath Park battling the Vanier junior girls on Friday evening before re-pooling for six games on Saturday. Cornerstone faces yet-to-be-determined opponents at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, an all-Moose Jaw-league battle turned into an out-and-out war during the opening game between the Vanier Spirits and Briercrest Christian Academy Cougars, as the Spirits withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to take a 49-46 win.
The Spirits led throughout, holding a 15-14 edge through the first quarter and leading 24-18 at half before extending their lead to nine heading into the fourth. There, a 17-point showing would see the Cougars get right back into it before eventually falling by only three.
Jewellyn McDonald scored 21 points for Vanier, including 17 in the first half. Lilly Mathies had 17 points for Caronport.
BCA faced Oxbow later Friday evening, while Vanier closed out the first day against Yorkton Sacred Heart.
Tournament action continues with Vanier facing Oxbow at 11 a.m. and Indian Head at 3:30 p.m., while Briercrest duels Yorkton at 9:30 a.m. and Indian Head at 12:30 p.m.
