ROSEVILLE, Calif. – The eighth-seeded St. Francis basketball team lost to Antelope 81-51 in the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs on Thursday night.

“We could not stop their dribble penetration,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We played hard and I am happy with the effort that we gave. Lauren Pank and Ally Gage played outstanding games.”

The Troubadours fell behind 7-0 to start the game but responded with a 9-0 run after a timeout.

“We responded to the punch and punched back,” said Pitton. “They had a lot of punches and we did not have enough responses.”

The Titans answered with a 15-0 run extending into the second quarter. SF stayed in the game behind Pank, who scored team-best seven points in the second quarter and trailed just by 10 points 39-29 at the half.

But the Titans sealed the game in the third with a 23-point quarter.

Gage led the team with 13 points and grabbed nine boards and dished seven assists, while Pank added 12 points. Logan Kelly had a team-best 10 boards.

St. Francis could still get an at-large bid to the CIF Northern California Regional playoffs despite the loss. But it might have been the final game of the season. Pitton will be retiring this season but hopes to coach at least one more game.

“If it is my last game, I have no regrets,” said Pitton. “I have loved every moment of it. It has been a great ride. Having the privilege to work with these young ladies and work at St. Francis has been very special.”

Antelope 81, St. Francis 51

St. Francis 9 20 12 10 – 51

Antelope 19 20 23 19 – 81

A –Goodwin 21, Harriel 17, Lasane 15, Spann 13, Jordan 6, Holister-Pachecho 4, Sands 3, AJ Jordan 2. SF – Gage 13, Pank 12, Fleming-Mullins 11, Kelly 6, Lopez 4, Williams 2, Graybill 2.