With snow and the bitter cold bearing down on Saint Xavier University, both the SXU Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams looked to set their sights on the final games of the season.
Both teams started this week when they played one game each.
Starting with the men’s team, they started the week on February 2nd when they played Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. The Cougars entered the game with a 9-15 record, while the Trinity International Spartans entered with a 14-10 record.
SXU were completely decimated in the first half, at one point being down by 19. The Cougars eventually ended the first half down 30-43.
The second half started with Saint Xavier attempting a fiery comeback, eventually cutting the Trinity International lead to only seven points. However, Trinity International kept the Cougars at bay and eventually won 81-73.
SXU fell to 9-16 with the loss, while Trinity International improved to 15-10.
The Cougars play three times next week.
They start the week on Monday when they play Calumet College at the Shannon Center.
They then play Roosevelt University on Wednesday at the Shannon Center.
SXU finishes up the week on Saturday when they travel to South Bend, Indiana to play Indiana University-South Bend.
After next week, the Cougars only play three more times before the season ends, so it is imperative that they win these next few games. If they don’t, they’ll be on the outside looking in during playoff season.
The SXU Women’s Basketball team started the week on February 2nd when they played Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois.
The Cougars entered the game with a 16-7 record and were ranked as the 17th best team in the country according to the NAIA. The Trinity International Spartans entered the game with a 7-15 record.
Saint Xavier started off the first quarter by jumping out to a four point lead, but soon squandered that lead and eventually allowed the Spartans to take a 10 point lead. However, the Cougars managed to slim that lead and eventually ended the first quarter only down by two.
The second quarter started with SXU going on a hot streak that Trinity International just could not handle. Saint Xavier eventually ended the second quarter up 46-34, a 12 point lead.
The Cougars continued their hot streak in the third quarter, eventually jumping out a 22 point lead halfway through the quarter. The third quarter eventually ended with SXU up 70-50.
The fourth quarter was more of the same for Saint Xavier, who continued their dominance by jumping out to a 23 point lead. The game ended with the Cougars winning 85-65.
The Cougars are now 17-7 on the year, while the Spartans fell to 7-16 with the loss.
SXU plays three times next week.
They start the week on Monday when they play Calumet College at the Shannon Center.
They then play Roosevelt University on Wednesday at the Shannon Center.
SXU finishes up the week on Saturday when they travel to South Bend, Indiana to play Indiana University-South Bend.
The Cougars look to be in great position going into the home stretch of the season, which should set them up well for the CCAC Playoffs.
Chris Leonchik
Sports Editor