Tigers fall to Saints
Posted: Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Olivet Nazarene - 98
St. Francis (Ill.) - 100
Box Score
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - The Olivet Nazarene University women's basketball team fell to the Saints from the University of St. Francis (Ill) Tuesday evening in a 98-100 ball game. With the loss, the Tigers fall to a 13-9 overall record on the season, while the Saints improve to 13-11.
The game was tight throughout the evening as the lead changed up to twelve separate times. The Saints controlled the majority of the first half, jumping out to an early lead, until the Tigers swung the momentum in their direction with a layup by Brooke Peterson (Arlington Heights, Ill.) that put the Tigers ahead at the 4:17 mark. ONU would build upon their lead, and take a slim 57-54 lead into the locker rooms.
USF didn't waste any time out of the gates into the second half, as they began to chip away at the Tigers' lead. Buckets by Brittani Hunter, Kellie Fazio, and Jacqie Storm helped the Saints to tie the game at 65-65 by the 15:50 mark. A free throw by ONU's Jealyn Foston (Cassopolis, Mich.) would put the Tigers back on top, but only for a short while.
After flip-flopping the lead back and forth for 5 straight minutes, the Tigers went on a 10-0 scoring run to put the score at 92-80 with just 5:08 left to go in the game. The Saints then fought their way back to tie the game at 95-95 with 0:39. A costly turnover by Courtney Hehn (Monticello, Ind.), caused by the steal of USF's Anna Sears, gave the Saints possession and the opportunity for a final shot with 0:19. After taking thier final timeout, St. Francis gave the ball to Sears who capitalized on a drive into the lane, sinking a layup with just 0:04 left on the clock, to put her team ahead 100-98. The Tigers tried to manuver their way to throw up a desperation heave, but could not even get a shot attempt off.
The loss puts the Tigers below .500 in conference play (3-2). They will have a chance to even themselves out on Saturday, Feb. 7, as they look to take on Indiana University-South Bend at McHie Arena. In their last meeting, IUSB edged out the Tigers with a 119-115 win. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Amanda Jensen
Women's Sports Information Director
