Women's Basketball Advances To SLIAC Semifinals After Win Over Panthers

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The No. 4 seeded Fontbonne University women's basketball advanced to the SLIAC Semifinals on Thursday after a hard fought 76-71 win over Principia.

The Griffins had three players in double-figures led by Ja'mise Bailey with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Madison Nelson finished with 18 points, while Rylee Pickett had a season-high 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from downtown.

In the first quarter, the Panthers started out with a sense of urgency taking an 18-6 lead at the 1:45 mark on Carolina Rojas' layup.

However, the Griffins closed out the quarter on a 6-0 run capped off by a long three-pointer from Bailey putting them down 18-12 after one.

In the second, the Panthers continued holding onto its marginal lead with the Griffins right on its heels at 33-32 with 1:45 remaining after Bailey went 1-of-2 from the line.

Despite the Griffins efforts, though it was Principia heading into the locker room on top, 37-35.

Fontbonne went on a 3-0 run in the first minute taking a 38-37 lead on Bailey's layup. Two minutes later, a three-pointer from Pickett push Fontbonne's lead out to 43-40.

It was the Griffins this time around hanging onto its lead as they were on top 54-53 going into the fourth.

Fontbonne shot a much-improved 61.5 percent from the floor in the third, while defensively they held Principia to a 23.5 field goal percentage.

In the fourth, the Griffins went on a 7-0 run as Kourtney White's three-pointer extended its lead out to 61-53.

Principia trimmed the deficit to 68-64 with 2:33 remaining, however, the Griffins on the ensuing possession saw Kya Harbour connect on her three-pointer and get fouled on the play. She went on to hit the free throw giving Fontbonne a 72-64 lead.

The Panthers trailed 72-69 with 1:10 to go, but the comeback was not to be with Fontbonne fending off Principia for the win.

The Griffins shot 44.8 percent from the floor in the game and drained 11 three-pointers. The Panthers were active on the glass having a 46-28 advantage.

Up Next

The Griffins move onto the SLIAC Semifinals where they'll face host and top seed Webster at 7:30 p.m.

Make sure to follow the women's basketball team on all its social media accounts: Twitter (@fontbonnewbb), Instagram (@fontbonnewbb) and Facebook (/FontbonneUGriffins).