It’s that time of the year again for the SXU Women’s Basketball team. By that time of the year, I mean that it’s time for the final games of the season.
Saint Xavier started off their final four game stretch on February 11th when they played Indiana University Northwest. The Cougars entered the game with a 19-8 record, while IU-Northwest entered with a 22-6 record.
This battle of two of the best teams in the NAIA started off with both teams trading leads throughout the first quarter. The quarter eventually ended with a small three point lead from IU-Northwest. The second quarter was more of the same, but SXU was able to cut the IUNorthwest lead down to one before the quarter ended.
IU-Northwest started to break away in the third quarter, eventually ending it with a seven point lead. It felt as if the Cougars didn’t even show up in the fourth quarter, as IUNorthwest completely dominated and eventually ended the quarter and the game with a 24 point lead. Saint Xavier fell to 19-9 with the loss, while IU-Northwest improved to 23-6.
The Cougars then wrapped up the regular season by playing two average teams, Judson University and Robert Morris University. The team completely dominated both games, beating Judson 70- 51 and beating Robert Morris 91-69.
The Cougars wrapped up the regular season with a 21-9 record and were ranked as the 25th best team in the NAIA.
SXU then participated in the CCAC Tournament. They entered as one of the top teams in the tournament and with a somewhat decent performance in the tournament, they advanced to the NAIA National Tournament.
The Cougars started the tournament on February 20th when they played Holy Cross College at the Shannon Center. The Holy Cross Saints entered the game with a 15-15 record, while the Cougars entered with a 21-9 record.
The game started with complete and total domination from the Cougars. SXU even jumped out to a 15 point lead with just under two minutes left in the first quarter. However, Holy Cross was able to cut the lead to only nine before the quarter ended. Saint Xavier started off the second quarter by continuing their hot start, but halfway through the quarter, Holy Cross managed to tie the game up 31-31. The Saints were even able to get a three point lead going into the third quarter.
Holy Cross completely dominated the third quarter, even jumping out a 14 point lead at one point. However, the Cougars were able to cut that lead to just nine before the quarter ended. The fourth quarter mostly consisted of SXU attempted a spirited comeback. They even cut the lead down to just two with two minutes left to play.
However, the Cougars just couldn’t hit another shot before the game ended and Holy Cross won 65-60. With that upset victory, Holy Cross advanced to the CCAC Semifinals, while SXU was eliminated from the playoffs.
The Cougars only have one more way of getting in the NAIA Tournament. They can be selected to receive an at-large berth into the Tournament.
The Cougars will find out their fate on February 27th during the NAIA Tournament Bracket Reveal Show at 6:00, only on the PlayNAIA Facebook page.
Chris Leonchik
Sports Editor
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