Steve Nafziger | Echo
Saint Francis denied Taylor women's basketball's upset bid on Wednesday night as they fell to No. 2 Saint Francis 84-71 in Odle Arena.
Saint Francis was in control early in the first half as they opened a 15-point lead just five minutes into the game. This was propelled by a 19-2 run as the Cougars climbed out to an early 19-4 lead.
Taylor managed to chip away at the lead throughout the first half with the help of momentum-swinging 3-pointers by senior guard Kelci Freds. The Trojans were able to pull within six points before halftime as the Cougars took a 42-36 lead into the locker room.
Taylor was able to capitalize on a few Saint Francis misses in the second half as they reclaimed their first lead since the opening possession. The lead change came by a baseline jumper from sophomore Monica Compton with 8:05 remaining in the game.
After seven lead changes in the next two minutes, Saint Francis closed the game on an 18-4 run with all 18 of the Cougars points coming from Skylarr Shurn and Taylor Akyah. Shurn ended the game with a game-high 34 points. Akyah added 23.
Senior Becca Daniels led the Trojans with 17 points and nine rebounds while playing solid interior defense. Freds ended the game with 12 points and four assists, as she shot 3-for-6 from deep. Compton added a career-high 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and five rebounds.
The Trojans struggled to stop Shurn and the Cougars in the paint as Saint Francis outscored Taylor 54-38 and allowed Saint Francis to pull down 15 offensive rebounds. Taylor did manage to make all 13 of their free throws, but the Cougars went to the line 36 times and were able to convert 23 of those attempts.
The Trojans won the rebound battle 37-35, but ultimately their 19 turnovers caught up to them as Saint Francis capitalized scoring 24 points off the mistakes.
The Trojans are home again Saturday as they take on Marian in a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
