Saints soar over struggling Tigers
Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2009
Olivet Nazarene - 70
St. Francis (Ill.) - 92
Box Score
JOLIET, Ill. - The Olivet Nazarene University women's basketball team closed their regular season tonight with a 70-92 defeat to the University of St. Francis (Ill.). The loss gives the Tigers an overall record of 16-13, 4-6 on the year.
Olivet never led in the contest, as the Saints were able to easily coast to their 18th win of the season. The game stayed tight, until the 16:29 mark in the first half, when a three pointer by USF's Jacqie Storm would start the Saints on a 15-4 scoring run. From that point on, ONU would come no closer than ten points throughout the contest.
Sharp shooting has been nagging the Tigers all season, and tonight was no different. By the end of the first half, ONU would only connect on 8-29 (27.6) from the field and 1-15 (6.7) from behind the arc, compared to USF's 41.0 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from downtown.
The second half would treat the Tigers a little better, but it was too little too late. One major factor was that Saint Francis was better able to spread contributions throughout their line-up. Four Saints would finish with double digit scoring performances. Another factor was consistent offensive rebounding for ONU. Those were slim pickings tonight, as ONU only pulled down a final total of three, with Brooke Peterson (Arlington Heights, Ill.) being the only Tiger to help her team's cause in that category.
Poppy Miller (New Have, Ind.) had another great game, postng her third straight double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Peterson would finish with 16, while connecting on 9-10 from the charity stripe.
The Tigers look to take on the post season which begins this Tuesday, March 3, in McHie arena as they prepare to compete against Robert Morris University (Ill.). In the regular season, the Tigers bested the Eagles twice in a 117-100 victory on January 24, and a 66-57 win on February 21. RMC holds a final regular season record of 10-18.
Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Amanda Jensen
Women's Sports Information Director
