The Cougars win streak reaches seven games after victories against Saint Ambrose and Holy Cross
Saint Xavier’s dominant season continued as they capped off their week with wins against Saint Ambrose University and Holy Cross College.
Their midweek game against Saint Ambrose was at home where the Cougars are 9-1 on the season. It would be easy to say they’re almost unbeatable at home, but that’s the case no matter where Coach Hallber’s team plays.
Saint Xavier stormed out of the gate strong jumping to an early 8-0 lead. The team led by as much as 21 points in the first quarter. Sophomores Maddie Welter and Chanel Fanter and freshman Meg Knutson combined to lead the team during the quarter.
The second quarter was more of the same as Saint Xavier had their scoring shoes on throughout. They outscored Saint Ambrose 24-14 in the second. Chanel Fanter sunk a lay-up with time winding down and Saint Xavier headed into halftime leading by 30 (56-26).
The Cougars biggest lead of the night came during the middle of the third quarter and found themselves up by 35 points (69-34). Saint Xavier went into their version of cruise control as they had the game all but won.
With two seconds left in the game, junior Emily Gorsch converted on a layup and the Cougars won the game with a final score of 89-60.
It was a comfortable win, but perhaps one of the significant stories of this game is that Kara Krolicki did not feature prominently in Saint Xavier’s blowout victory. Krolicki’s first points of the game didn’t come until late in the second quarter. Despite a quiet night, by her standards, she still managed to finish the game with nine points along with six assists and three steals.
The Cougars shot well beyond-the-arc as all of Maddie Welter’s fifteen points came from three-point land. Chanel Fanter led the team in scoring with twenty points to go along with eight rebounds and four assist. Senior Brittney Collins recorded her 10th career double-double as she finished the game with nineteen points and twelve rebounds.
Without their superstar being heavily involved, her teammates stepped up. It’s an encouraging sign and further shows that teams have to focus on the whole team and not just on one player.
Saint Xavier then traveled to Notre Dame, Indiana to take on Holy Cross College in a Saturday matinee.
Similar to their game against Saint Ambrose, the Cougars jumped out ahead early and quickly found themselves with a 13-0 lead.
It wasn’t until three minutes left in the first quarter that the Saints recorded their first points of the game. By the end of the first quarter, Saint Xavier were already up 24-12.
The second quarter was a bit of a struggle for both teams as points became a premium. Neither team scored a basket until around two minutes into the quarter via Brittney Collins. It was a low scoring second quarter, but the Cougars led 32-14 going into the half.
Saint Xavier put the game out of reach in the third as they outscored Holy Cross, 20-14 in the third. Coach Hallberg’s team had their biggest lead of the night, thirty-four points, midway through the fourth quarter off a shot by Chanel Fanter. The Cougars went on to win by a final of 88-62.
After a quiet game against Saint Francis, Kara Krolicki exploded with a team-leading twenty-four points as well as four assists and two steals.
Brittany Collins wasn’t far behind as she finished with twenty-two points and five blocks. Chanel Fanter and sophomore Corah Graffeo also had double-digit in points.
The victory against Holy Cross improved Saint Xavier’s record to 19-2 and remain undefeated in conference play with a record of 14-0.
Off the court, Brittany Collins was named CCAC’s Player of the Week for her performances against #18 Saint Francis and #17 Olivet Nazarene as Collins averaged twenty-two points and 7.5 rebounds. This is Collins’ first time earning this award this season and the fourth time in her career. This is also the fourth time a Saint Xavier player is honored with this award this season which is the most in the conference.
Saint Xavier’s next game is on the road against Calumet College of St. Joseph on Wednesday, January 31.
Ernesto Hernandez
Sports Editor