SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis varsity basketball team fell to Cosumnes Oaks 44-40 in the Delta League opener for the team.
"Defensively we held them," said Head Coach Heather Volek Brownholtz. "This team has had a great ability to score. The shots were not falling the second half. Instead of pulling themselves up, the frustration set it. It is a learning point in the first league game. Cosumnes Oaks is a good team and we were competitive. I am proud of the girls competing and we keep learning, improving and growing."
St. Francis (7-8) led at the half 25-19 after a productive second quarter. Three players hit three-pointers, including Lauren Pank, Nika Bagatelos and Jasmine Lee. But the Troubadours struggled in the third, managing just two baskets and five points as the Wolfpack took the lead 34-30.
St. Francis tied the game late but CO was able to get key three-point play to push ahead and the Troubies finished the quarter with just three baskets in the period.
"We have to do the little things right," said Brownholtz. "We have been playing a very fast pace, especially in the last seven games at a high pace. This game was different and we forced things instead of trusting the offense."
Pank led the team with 11 points and senior Megan Austin had 10 points. Junior Mia Fleming-Mullins added nine points.
"I wanted the girls to compete," said Brownholtz. "This was a team that went deep in the playoffs last year. I asked the girls to compete and I think they did that. Part of this is learning and we will get better."
St. Francis plays three Delta League games this week starting with Franklin on Monday at home.
Cosumnes Oaks 44, St. Francis 40
SF – Pank 11, Austin 10, Mia Fleming-Mullins 9, Lee 5, Bagatelos 3, Gage 2. CO – Fox 19, Hess 9, Roselle 6, Williams 4, McCrae 4, Jones 2.
