SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Nika Bagatelos hit four free throws in the final 25 seconds to secure a 48-44 win over Sheldon to keep the playoff hopes alive for the St. Francis team.
"Our motto in practice is make your free throws," said Bagatelos. "When I got the ball, I made my free throws to seal the game. It was a must-win game. We were up in the fourth and had to keep the lead."
The Trouabdours led by as many as 17 points in the game but the Huskies rallied in the fourth quarter behind xx Mambuay, who scored 10 of her 16 points in the quarter.
"We were not helping on the weak side on their drives to the basket," said Bagatelos. But we figured it out at the end. SF got two crucial stops down the stretch to prevent the Huskies from tying or winning the game on their last possessions.
"I am proud of the girls," said Head Coach Heather Volek Brownholtz. "This is playoff basketball and everyone is desperate to win games and get in the playoffs. They are giving their best to get in the playoffs."
Bagatelos finished with a team-best 13 points, tying Mia Fleming Mullins for the team lead. Mackenzie Le added 11 ppints and Jasmine Lee scored seven from the Troubie backcourt.
St. Francis plays at the Golen 1 Center on Thursday against Davis. Tickets are available here.
https://stfrancishs.formstack.com/forms/golden1basketballgame%20
St. Francis 48, Sheldon 44
SF - Bagatelos 13, Fleming-Mullins 13, Le 11, Lee 7, Gage 4. Sheldon – Mambuay 16, Hufana 10, Higgins 9, Dodd 5, Manuel 2, Gray 2.
