The Saint Xavier women’s basketball team was a game removed from having their 14 game winning streak snapped against Purdue University Calumet. They were now taking on a big rival, Saint Francis (Ill.), in a pivotal game for the Cougars.
The Cougars went on the road last Wednesday and traveled to the University of Saint Francis, a team that they had lost to 74-68 back on December 16. It was a very big game for Saint Xavier, who was still trying to get over the loss to Purdue Calumet.
Saint Xavier came out hot in Wednesday’s game and was lighting it up on the floor. Through the first six minutes of the game SXU led 17-4. It had looked, for the time being, that they were going to be able to run away with it as Saint Xavier went up double digit points very early on and held that throughout the majority of the first half.
However, that was not the case. Some big three’s from freshman guard Alexis Brown brought Saint Francis right back into it. Going into halftime the momentum had definitely shifted in favor of the Fighting Saints as it was only a 33-30 lead for the Cougars.
Suzie Broski and Morgan Stuut were off of their game a bit as Broski was 0-4 from the floor in the first half and only had two points at the half. Stuut had only five points and eight rebounds.
Coming out in the second half it did not get much easier for Saint Xavier. The Fighting Saints were definitely going to try and ride their momentum as far as it would take them, and they did just that.
Saint Francis came out and went toe to toe with the Cougars in what turned out to be one of Saint Xavier’s closest games of the year, if not the closest. It was back and forth for the last five minutes or so of the action and it came down to the final possession for Saint Francis.
Debra Jenkins brought the ball down the floor for the Fighting Saints and dished it off to Katie Gonnering, who put up the jumper from the right baseline, and it was no good. However, Gonnering got it back and was fouled by Stuut with 2.2 seconds left in the game.
Gonnering went to the line with the score at 55-54 in favor of Saint Xavier. The first free throw was good to tie the game. The second one went up, it was no good, but senior Marissa Draper got the ball and threw up a prayer and miraculously it was answered, as the ball fell into the basket with less than a second to play in the game giving Saint Francis the 57-55 lead.
Chrissy Heine inbounded the ball hoping to have a prayer answered as well, but unfortunately no such luck came for the Cougars as the final buzzer sounded and Saint Francis stormed the court.
The Cougars next assignment was this past Saturday against Trinity International University (Ill.). SXU went into the game hungry for a win to get back on the right track.
The defense for Saint Xavier was stout as they collected 13 steals and forced 21 turnovers. The Cougars built a huge lead in the first half as they led 43-26 at the halftime break.
Coming out in the second half SXU built their lead to as many as 25 and looked to be back to their dominant ways. They were able to hold off a small rally by Trinity International late in the game and the Cougars went on to win the contest, 78-62.
Stuut had an incredible game scoring 28 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists. There were a lot of good statistical performances by the ladies on Saturday. Broski and Niara Harris had 10 points each in the winning effort, while the diaper dandy Caitlin McMahon had nine points and eight rebounds.
Saint Xavier will now take on Robert Morris at the Shannon Center tonight for an out of conference game. It is also ‘Senior night’ as Romisha Taylor and Maureen Riley will be honored. The game is slated to start at 5 p.m.
Brandon Swanson
Sports Correspondent