The SXU Women’s basketball team has been rolling as of late and has looked like a team on a mission. Their next challenge was Judson University.
The Cougars got off to a very slow start against Judson University trailing 7-6 after the first six minutes of the game. It was a three pointer by Junior Guard Jordan Brandt that got the Cougars onto a roll and a 13-4 run.
Saint Xavier finally found a spark and took a 30-18 lead into halftime. The Cougars dominated in the second half of the contest holding a 20 point lead for most of the time.
The Cougar defense was solid and held the Eagles to a measly 21 percent from the floor. Saint Xavier had some very strong performances from Chrissy Heine (12 points and 6 rebounds) and Margaret Wildner (8 points and 4 rebounds).
Morgan Stuut had a strong performance as usual and contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds, on her way to her 15th double double performance of the season. Suzie Broski also had a very good game with 15 points of her own. The Cougars went on to win 69-37 in blowout fashion.
The Cougars had a 14 game winning streak going into their big matchup with Purdue University Calumet on Saturday. The Cougars were 21-3 heading into Saturday’s game as they hoped to pick up yet another win.
Purdue University Calumet won the first meeting against Saint Xavier 85-70; and now the Cougars wanted to get revenge. Saint Xavier came out to a very slow start shooting just 31 percent from the floor in the first half, and they trailed at halftime 35-27. The Cougars were down by as much as 14 points in the first half.
It was definitely one of those games where the Cougars had a lid on the basket and the Peregrines were hitting anything and everything. The Cougars tried to get a spark going in the second half, but unfortunately they went down by as much as 17 points with 14:37 left to play in the game.
It was time for the Cougars to find a hero, and that hero came in the form of Chrissy Heine and Mo Riley. Heine had a career high in points with 22 and also chipped in 7 rebounds and 2 blocks and helped the Cougars to tie up the game at 75 with just over three minutes left in the game. Riley also was 3-3 from beyond the arc and got the Cougars into a nice rhythm.
It was an incredible comeback by SXU but unfortunately a timeout was called by Niara Harris, but Saint Xavier was out of timeouts. This play resulted in a technical foul and free throws for the Peregrines. The Cougars went on to lose 87-81, marking the first time they have lost a game since December 16, 2012.
Saint Xavier will now head on the road to take on the University of Saint Francis this Wednesday February 6th. The game is slated to start at 5 pm. It will be broadcast on WXAV 88.3 fm Chicago.
Brandon Swanson
Sports Correspondant
swanson.b01@mymail.sxu.edu