Third Quarter Propels Basketball to Win over Franklin

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomores Jackie Koerwitz and Jorie Keitges combined for 26 points in the third quarter as St. Francis broke open a close game with Franklin to post a 76-49 win.

Koerwitz scored 10 straight points as part of a 14-point quarter to extend the Troubadours lead in the third. She finished with a game-high 21 points to earn TroubieTV Player of the Game honors.

“I was super frustrated in the middle of the first quarter,” said Koerwitz. “I was not playing to my capabilities. As a team, we were not playing as a unit. We really needed to come out in the second half and bring it.”

Franklin (11-7, 3-2) was within 5 at 31-26 at the break after a tight opening half.

“We beating ourselves,” said Koerwitz. “We were working really hard but not rewarding ourselves. We have been working along on boxing out and they were getting too many easy rebounds and put backs. That was the problem.”

All that changed in the third as SF turned up the pressure, resulting in easy baskets.

“It was awesome because we were able to get the points off the press,” said Koerwitz.

Keitges then came in and added a big offensive punch, hitting four straight three-pointers in the quarter.

“Coach told me to be more aggressive and work on my offense and that pumped me up,” said Keitges of the halftime talk.

Keitges has scored 30 points over the last three games after totaling just 11 in the first 12 games.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Keitges. “It felt good hitting the first one and all the others came easy. My confidence is really helping me play my game and not worry when I get the ball.”

St. Francis (10-7, 4-1) closed out the game in the fourth as senior Janae Fairbrook hit two threes and Logan Kelly added a couple baskets.

Overall, four players hit double figures in the game, led by Koerwitz. Senior Julia Razo connected for 16 points, including 14 in the first half, while Keitges had 10 and Fairbrook finished with 10.

St. Francis remained a game back of Elk Grove, the lone loss for St. Francis in Delta League play.

“We took the loss to Elk Grove to heart,” said Koerwitz. “We had a goal at the beginning of the season to be undefeated in league. But we can still tie them if we beat them. We are building up to that.”

St. Francis travels to Monterey Trail in Friday for another game against a team in the upper half of the standings. Elk Grove defeated Monterey Trail 80-46 on Tuesday.

St. Francis 76, Franklin-EG 49 1 2 3 4 F
Franklin 11 15 13 10 49
St. Francis 13 18 32 13 76

SF – Koerwitz 21, Razo 16, Keitges 12, Fairbrook 10, Bagatelos 5, Kelly 4, Austin 2, Montemayor 2, Graybill 1, Pank 1. F – Clark 10, Erfe 8, Hudson 8, Rena Sy 7, Nguyen 5, Ogunsuyi 5, Smith 3, Barton 2, Rosaroso 1,