The fans and observers of Saint Xavier University Women’s Basketball must take a moment to think about all that has happened in society since the last time the Cougars lost a basketball game.
The date was Nov. 30, 2013 last time the team lost a game and a few things have happened since then.
The Christmas season has come and gone, we have popped champagne and fireworks in honor of the New Year, Luol Deng was still shooting hoops in Chi-town, and Chicago was not trapped in a snow globe by the queen from “Frozen”.
It has been an amazing streak for women’s basketball and they added to it this past week with two blowout victories.
The No. 7 Saint Xavier University Cougars took on Calumet College of St. Joseph last Wednesday at home in the Shannon Center.
They led by 14 at halftime on their way to a 91-61 victory their 13th straight win.
Junior forward Morgan Stuut continued her all around magnificent play this season finishing the game with 27 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals.
Stuut led an offense that shot 57 percent from the field and an unbelievable 68 percent in the first half.
Junior guard Maloree Johnson had 11 points and dished out a team leading eight assists in the win.
Senior guard Niara Harris came off the bench and made big contributions with 14 points and 3 steals on the evening.
The Cougars were brimming with confidence going into Saturday’s game against arch rival University of Saint Francis (Ill.) after extending their season long 13 game winning streak earlier in the week.
They used suffocating defense to take down their rivals 67-42 on Saturday afternoon and in the process remained undefeated at home this season moving to 8-0.
The Cougars held USF to just 18 points at the half while maintaining a 15 point lead at the break.
Stuut recorded her 17th double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds and she played great defense coming away with six steals on the day.
Senior guard Jordan Brandt led the offense with 10 points and five assists and also played tight defense snatching away four steals from USF.
Sophomore forward Caitlyn McMahon chipped in 10 points and was a force to be reckoned with defensively recording four blocks.
In a post game interview Brandt noted that a huge reason for the Cougars success was their defense.
She said their defense was “the best in the conference” and after Saturday’s win she may have a point.
The Cougars held USF to 23 percent (14 of 60) shooting for the game en route to their sixth win in January and 14th straight win overall.
The team is beating their competition by an average of twenty points by limiting them to 64.2 points per game and 37.2 percent shooting.
SXU will go for its 15th straight victory on Jan. 29 while also trying to stay unbeaten for the second straight month.
They put their winning streak on the line on road against Holy Cross College this Wed.
After that on Saturday Feb. 1 the team goes into huge game against conference leader Cardinal Strtich in front of the home faithful.
Damone Griffin
Sports Editor