ELGIN, IL - Turning the ball over 44 times, Judson University (4-4) could not get past #13 St. Xavier University's (4-2) defense in an 83-48 loss. Judson's 44 turnovers led to 47 points for St. Xavier as the big difference in the game.
"If we would have taken care of the basketball we would not have made as many mistakes," says head coach Jim Cook. "They are a good team and I think that what happened to us is that we rushed things. We slowed down a little and the mistakes that were made weren't as numerous."
Judson was even with St. Xavier in every other category in the game as Judson shot 40% to St. Xavier's 43%. Judson made 55% from beyond the arc and the held St. Xavier to 27% in three-point land. Each team then shot in the 60%'s from the stripe as Judson went 11-of-18 for 61% while St. Xavier was 10-of-15 for 66%. St. Xavier out rebounded Judson, 39-33, but then had 28 steals to Judson's 10.
Kim Peek (Springdale, AR) was Judson's lone player in double digits as she recorded 10 points hitting two three-pointers and shooting 50% (4-of-8) from the floor. Alicia Rovertoni (Columbia, IL) was the leading rebounder with seven. St. Xavier had three players score in double figures as Kathlyn McClain had 18 points.
Starting the game right out of the running gate, Judson took a 7-2 lead in the first three minutes on a three-pointer by Aubrey Parsons (Sterling, IL) and layups from Tiana Forrest (Elgin, IL) and Kirstin Johns (Belvidere, IL). St. Xavier answered with a 5-0 run to tie the game at seven with 16:14 left in the first half.
McClain then gave St. Xavier their first lead of the game on a three-pointer only to see Parsons answer right back just 14 seconds later to tie the game at 10. Forrest gave Judson their last lead of the game, 12-10, at the 14:45 mark on a layup. Over the next eight minutes, St. Xavier had a 25-7 run to take a commanding 16-point lead, 35-19. Judson did not get any closer than 13, 35-22, with 5:18 left in the half on a Devonaye Henderson (Ellenwood, GA) free throw.
The defense became even tougher in the second half as Judson only shot 27% from the floor compared to 50% in the first half. Judson also only made one three-pointer to shoot 25% from beyond the arc and did not make shot from the floor in the final 8:13 of the second half. Henderson's layup with 8:13 left in the game was Judson's final bucket of the game as Hannah Welding (Morrison, IL) and Johns each made a free throw.
Judson will now travel to Indiana to face Taylor University-Ft. Wayne on Saturday, November 29th, after Thanksgiving.
