MESA, Ariz. – The St. Francis basketball team won for the second consecutive day at the Nike Tournament of Champions with a comeback effort for a 44-38 victory over Boulder Creek (Ariz.) to finish the tournament with a 2-2 record.

"I was proud of the girls," said Head Coach Heather Volek Brownholtz. "This is completely theirs. I challenged them to compete, not give up and work together as a team. One of our goals has been 80 percent at the free throw line. Today we were 100 percent (5-for-5) which was critical down the stretch. It was a great team win."

Senior Nika Bagatelos was the only Troubadour to score in the first half, hitting four three-pointers as Boulder Creek built a double-digit lead.

"Nika will continue to be Nika," said Brownholtz. "She did well hitting four threes and then became a decoy forcing them to double team her and allowing other girls on the team to get open."

St. Francis (6-5) trailed by 13 points in the second half after the Jaguars extended a 24-12 halftime lead.

"We needed to come together and realize we wanted to win," said Pank. "Our hearts were in the game more than the other team."

Brownholtz credited senior Maya Curiale for making a critical impact in the second half, recording five rebounds and forcing a chance in the flow of the Boulder Creek offense.

"The inside rebounding from Maya was outstanding," said Brownholtz. "She threw a wrench is everything they were doing, grabbing the rebounds and kicking it out."

Junior Jasmine Lee sparked the comeback with a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter and senior Megan Austin and junior Mia Fleming-Mullins added baskets to cut the lead to 27-24 entering the final eight minites.

Senior Lauren Pank had a big fourth quarter for the second consecutive game, nailing two three-pointers and Fleming-Mullins added three points. The final period had three lead changes and two ties after the Jaquars had led the first 24 minutes combined.

Tied at 37, Austin hit a midrange running jumper for the lead with 45 seconds left to give SF their final lead and Lee converted a three-point play off a layup to add to the margin.

"It was absolutely amazing," said Lee of her contribution. "In the first half we only had one person score. We needed someone to step up. The basket and the and-one was great help to my team (in that situation)."

Bagatelos hit two free throws to seal, adding to her game-high 14 points.

"The competition was incredible," said Lee, who finished with nine points. "We saw the best as a team and we played our best."

Fleming-Mullins added seven points and Pank finished with six. 

St. Francis 44, Boulder Creek 38

SF – Bagatelos 14, Lee 9, Fleming-Mullins 7, Pank 6, Austin 4, Gage 2, Lopez 2.