ELK GROVE, Calif. – Junior Janae Fairbrook had a team-high 22 points to lead St. Francis to a 64-54 win over Pleasant Grove in the Delta League opener for both teams.

“”It was great and really important that we go the “W”,” said Fairbrook of the league win. “It shows how we have progressed in the preseason and are ready for the season.”

Pleasant Grove and St. Francis played a tight opening quarter that featured five ties as the team exchanged baskets with the Eagles holding the advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Troubadours took the lead for good in the second when Pleasant Grove went scoreless for almost five minutes, leading 25-21 at the break.

St. Francis tried to pull away in the second half but Brittney Nguyen hit six second-half three pointers as part of her 34-point effort to keep the Eagles in the game. But Fairbrook answered for St. Francis, scoring 14 of her 22 aided by four triples to keep the lead.

“We needed to push the ball up the court and once we did that we got some easy layups,” said Fairbrook.

PG pulled within two points in the fourth quarter but Julia Razo and Fairbrook hit back-to-back threes to end the rally and St. Francis held on for the 10-point win.

St. Francis plays Davis Friday night at Sleep Train Arena before taking on Christian Brothers on Saturday in the annual Holy Hoops contest.

“I think our team is really excited and ready for it,” said Fairbrook. “We are prepared.”

The JV team opened the night at Pleasant Grove, holding off a late rally for a 48-42 win. Lauren Pank led the team with 10 points, five assists and six steals and Adrienne Graybill chipped in eight points.

The freshmen and junior varsity teams play at Davis on Thursday night starting at 5:30 p.m.

SF – Fairbrook 22, Craig 18, Huffman 11, Razo 6, Nicolos 2, Koerwitz 2, Williams 2, Ortiz 1. PG – B. Nguyen 34, Nickerson 10 Gorski 6, James 4.