SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore Mackenzie Le scored all eight points in overtime to help St. Francis post a 63-61 win over Elk Grove Tuesday night in a key Delta League game.
"Everyone that came in stepped up in their own unique way," said Head Coach Heather Volek Brownholtz. "The bench was great and everyone was supportive. We have really been pushing 'Iron sharpens Iron' and believing in one another. It showed down the stretch. We are mentally tough."
St. Francis (11-14, 3-6) led early taking a 17-10 lead after the first quarter behind three triples by senior Nika Bagatelos.
"Nika's threes to get us going was huge," said Brownholtz.
The Troubies held the lead into halftime 30-25 as five players contributed in the second quarter including a three by Lee and four points from junior Mia Fleming-Mullins.
St. Francis led 40-31 in the third before the Thundering Herd went on a 13-0 run to take a 44-40 lead in the fourth quarter. Junior Jasmine Lee had two big three-pointers in the quarter to keep the Troubadours in the game as the teams exchanged the lead over the final minutes.
St. Francis had chances to seal the game in regulation at the line but the teams finished regulation tied at 55, playing overtime for the second time this season.
Le scored on a running layup to start overtime and added a free throw before hitting a huge three-pointer with 1:50 left to extend the lead to 61-55. Elk Grove got a basket from Amani Britton, who finished with 15 points, and a late three from Kylie Hardin, who had a game-high 20 points, to inch back in the game. Le added her final points off a sweet assist from Lauren Pank, who contributed four in the game.
"It was really stressful at first but I realized I had to calm myself down," said Le, who finished with a career-high 18 points to go with five assists and five rebounds.
"This was a massive win," said Lee, who had 11 points in the win. "It was incredible for us to push through. We were in overtime last time with Elk Grove. This win gets us closer to playoffs."
Bagatelos finished with 12 points on four three-pointers and Fleming-Mullins added 11 points and 11 rebounds
"Winning is all the sweeter when you have adversity," said Head Coach Heather Volek Brownholtz.
St. Francis travels to play Pleasant Grove on Friday before hosting Sheldon for Senior Night next week and playing Davis at the Golden 1 Center on Feb. 7 to close the regular season.
St. Francis 63, Elk Grove 61 OT
SF – Le 18, Bagatelos 12, Harmon 11, Lee 11, Gage 4, Curiale 4, Pank 3. EG –Hardin 20, Chilini 18, Britton 15, Funou 8.
