Basketball Takes Lead in Delta League with Win over Elk Grove

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Seniors Julia Razo and Janae Fairbrook each scored 19 points as St. Francis defeated Elk Grove 60-55 on Wednesday to take over first place in the Delta League standings.

“We are all on a high right now,” said Razo after the game. “We are just really happy we pulled through.”

St. Francis (16-7, 9-1) pulled ahead with key three-pointers and a big advantage at the free throw line, making 15-of-22 on the night.

“I thought we had a very flat second quarter,” said Pitton. “For them come out to show the resilience in a hard fought battle, we had to get through the mental hurdle that they had beat us twice. It was excellent the way they were able to execute in the second half and make some big shots down the stretch to get that separation. We really harassed them in the second half and prevented them from getting shots they wanted. I was very proud of them.”

Mia Shulman had a game-high 26 points for the Thundering Herd but it was not enough. St. Francis overcame a six-point halftime deficit with three triples in the third quarter.

“Julia has been so game after game,” said Pitton. “Janae had a great performance. Nika (Bagatelos) hit a big shot and some big free throws and Lauren (Pank) had a big three in the second half. Marlee (Nicolos) and Jackie (Koerwitz) were tough inside.”

The Troubadours made just three baskets in the decisive fourth quarter but went 9-of-13 at the line after getting into the bonus early in the period.

“We kept in mind our goal and our fundamentals as a team how we play,” said Razo.

St. Francis finished a stretch of four games over six days, winning each of the three Delta League games and the Holy Hoops rivalry game.

“It has been really tiring but a lot of fun at the same time,” said Razo. “We are always thinking about the next game and what we have to do.”

St. Francis 60, Elk Grove 55 1 2 3 4 F
Elk Grove 11 20 10 14 55
St. Francis 17 8 19 16 60

SF – Razo 19, Fairbrook 19, Koerwitz 8, Bagatelos 6, Koerwitz 5, Pank 3. EG – Shulman 26, Demps 10, Smith 9, Hardin 6, Chelini 2, Hanks 2.