Late USF Run Dooms Judson
Elgin, Ill.- Finishing the game on a 10-2 run, the University of St. Francis Saints (8-5) stole a 71-65 win away from Judson (3-8). JU had as large as an 11-point lead in the game but USF's 11 three-pointers were the difference maker in the game.
Junior Marissa Marshall (Austin, Texas) led JU with 16 points while Theresa Larson (Newark, Ill.) added 10 points. Ashley Cheairs (Gary, Ind.) recorded a career-high 10 rebounds. USF's Jacqie Storm led all scorers with 21.
With 16:26 left in the game, JU claimed a nine-point lead, 45-36. Over the next nine minutes, USF went on a 23-11 run to claim a three-point lead, 59-56. JU's Marshall tied the game at 63 with 4:24 to go in the game. The next two minutes brought poor shooting by both teams as they missed a combined four shots and two free throws. At the 2:36 mark, USF made two free throws to take the lead, 65-63. JU turned the ball over on their next possession but grabbed a defensive rebound for another chance to tie the game. Devonaye Henderson then tied the game for Judson at 65 on a jumper with the clock reading 1:48 remaining. Just 27 seconds later, USF nailed a lay up for the go-ahead score. JU went to tie the game with just 00:53 left but turned the ball over. USF took that turnover and turned it into a four-point lead that JU could not over come. USF then nailed two free throws with just six seconds left for the six-point lead.
After USF took a 3-2 lead in the opening minute of the game, JU ran out to an 8-3 lead. USF battled back to tie the game at 10 and then take a one-point lead, 15-14, at the 11:56 mark. JU responded with a 16-5 run over six minutes for an 11-point lead, 31-20. USF chipped away at the lead and had it down to five, 33-28, with 2:33 remaining. JU pushed the lead back to 10, 38-28, on two Alicia Rovertoni (Columbia, Ill.) free throws only to see USF finish the half by hitting their seventh three-pointer to make it 38-31 at the half.
Shooting differences in the game were the key as JU went 20-of-30 from the free throw line (66%) and USF shot a perfect 10-of-10. USF then shot 36% from beyond the arc making 11-of-30 three-pointers taken while JU only made 3-of-11 from the arc. JU did finish shooting 37% from the floor while USF was 34%. JU out rebounded USF, 48-39, but turned the ball over 18 times while only stealing the ball four times.
Judson will travel to Ohio to face Central State on Thursday, December 20th, at 5:00 p.m. central time and then turn around and face Silver Lake College on Friday, December 21st, at 8:00 p.m. in Wisconsin.
