That’s how Austintown Fitch coach Dan Schnurrenberger felt after Thursday’s night’s contest against Kenmore-Garfield at Austintown Fitch High School.

After Fitch held an early lead, a strong second-half attack by the Rams would be the difference maker in their 57-45 victory on the road against the Falcons.

Following the game, Schnurrenberger praised his team’s opponent.

“That one got out of hand a little bit,” he said. “It was pretty sloppy on both ends for us.

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Austintown Fitch’s Emma Bartlett, left, drives in toward the paint while being guarded by Kenmore-Garfield’s Jamaya Taylor during the first quarter Thursday in Austintown.

“You’ve got to give Kenmore credit. They executed when they had to and they did what they had to do to win. They earned that win.”

Fitch maintained a 15-12 lead following the first eight minutes, but the Falcons hit a dry spell during the second quarter.

The Rams (7-5) went on a 7-0 run to take a 19-15 lead as Fitch went without a field goal throughout much of the second frame. Ashley Mickey knocked down a 3-pointer with less than four minutes to go before the intermission for the Falcons’ first points since the first quarter.

Kenmore took a slim 23-22 lead going into halftime.

“We got pretty cold there and then we were turning the basketball over.” Schnurrenberger said. “Things aren’t going well for you, and then (I’Onna Lopp) got pretty hot for them. She put the ball in the hoop. They played well.”

Chelsie Wheeler scored on a layup for Fitch to give it a 24-23 lead in the opening moments of the third quarter. That advantage would be shortlived due to some offensive firepower out of the duo of Mari Shelton and Lopp, who combined for 48 of the Rams’ 57 points.

“Shelton works her butt off, so she earns her points.” Schnurrenberger said. “Lopp shot the ball well, and anybody that shoots the ball well put in a lot of time shooting the basketball. Lopp takes time, works on her game, and that’s what you get.”

Lopp had 30 points, while Shelton had 18.

Daria Williams had a team-high 15 points for Fitch, along with Mya McNevin who had 11. Mickey chipped in with nine points.

Fitch (4-4) is in the midst of a three-game skid, but Schnurrenberger understands that the loss to Kenmore-Garfield is a teaching moment for his team, especially in regard to retaking a lead and holding it.

“We try to be patient and slow things down a little bit,” he said. ” Hopefully next time we use this tonight as a learning experience for us on how to handle pressure and be strong with the basketball.

“We’ve got to be ready to play, we’ve got to take care of the basketball, if we don’t take care of the basketball, we’re not going to win games, and that was the key tonight for us.”