The SXU Women’s Basketball team wrapped up their regular season schedule this week when they played St. Francis (IL) and IU-South Bend.
The Cougars kicked off the week on Wednesday, February 19th when they played the St. Francis (IL) University Fighting Saints.
The Cougars entered the game with a 25-3 record and were ranked as the sixth best team in the country. Meanwhile, the Fighting Saints entered the game with a 25-4 record and were ranked as the eighth best team in the country.
The first quarter started off with the Fighting Saints jumping out to an early five point lead.
However, the Cougars rallied back, going on a 10-4 run to end the first quarter. The first quarter ended with SXU up 14-13.
The second quarter started off with both teams trading the lead, but halfway through the quarter, SXU’s offense completely exploded, outscoring the Fighting Saints 14-3.
The second quarter eventually ended with SXU up 34-23.
The third quarter started off well for the Cougars, but the Fighting Saints stormed back halfway through the quarter, eventually cutting SXU’s lead to just six points by the end of the quarter.
The fourth and final quarter was very close, with the game being tied going into the final 30 seconds.
With no time left on the clock, SXU guard Maddie Welter sunk a two-pointer that gave the Cougars a 57-55 victory.
Saint Xavier improved to 26-3 with the win, while St. Francis (IL) fell to 25-5 with the loss.
The Cougars then wrapped up their regular season schedule on February 22nd when they travelled to South Bend, Indiana to play the IU-South Bend Titans.
The Titans entered the game with a 24-5 record.
The first quarter was completely dominated by Saint Xavier, as they kept a five to ten point lead for most of the quarter. The first quarter eventually ended with SXU up 26-18.
The second quarter was another dominant performance from the Cougars, as they ended it with a 47-32 lead.
The third quarter was a bit closer, as both teams traded points like they were candy.
However, SXU’s lead remained the same at the end of the quarter, as they held a 15 point lead going into the fourth and final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a near repeat of the third, as both teams traded points back and forth. In the end, the Cougars beat the Titans 90-75.
Saint Xavier improved to 27-3 with the win, while IU-South Bend fell to 25-5 with the loss.
With that win, Saint Xavier’s regular season schedule is over.
The Cougars will now participate in the CCAC Conference Tournament from February 25th to the 29th.
If they win that, they are guaranteed a spot in the NAIA National Women’s Basketball Tournament, which will take place from March 11th to the 17th.
Even if they do not do well in the CCAC Tournament, their amazing regular season performance should be enough to get them into the national tournament.
The Cougars had a great performance to end the regular season and they look like they can go far in the postseason.