Bagatelos Hits Eight Triples in Win over Monterey Trail

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Senior Nika Bagatelos Scores a Career-high 26 Points in Win

ELK GROVE, Calif. – Junior Nika Bagatelos hit a career-high eight three-pointers as part of a career-high 26-point effort in a 69-41 victory over Monterey Trail Friday night.

“I missed the first couple but then got hot taking a few drives to the basket to get my shot going,” said Bagatelos. “I just kept shooting.”

It was the third 20-point game of her career, improving on a 24-point game versus Antelope as a freshman on the junior varsity team. She scored 23 against Arcata for her previous varsity best last season.

“We were sharing the ball,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We don’t care who scores as long as it’s us. We lived up to our motto tonight. They shared the ball really well tonight and knocked down some big shots.”

Bagatelos opened with a two-pointer before hitting three triples in the first quarter as St. Francis built a 20-9 lead. She added three more in the second as the Troubadours extended the lead to 39-28 at the half.

“Without Marlee I felt everyone had to step up and score more points tonight,” said Bagatelos.

Bagatelos hit her first two three-pointers in the third as she closed in on the school record of 11 by Janae Fairbrook set last season. She finished 8-for-12 beyond the arc and 9-for-15 for the game with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

“Not only was she hitting the threes,” said Pitton. “She played some great defense and got some rebounds. She had an all-around great game. She was on fire tonight.”

She did not make another but her teammates kept making shots, outscoring the Mustangs 30-13 in the second half. Junior Lauren Pank scored 11 points in the win, all in the second half, while Ally Gage contributed 10 and Jorie Keitges added nine.

“We really wanted this game,” said Bagatelos. “We can’t overlook Grant and do our thing and get it.”

Monterey Trail senior Quiara Watkins scored 22 first-half points on her senior night bit was held in check in the second with just three points.

“Saniyiah (Williams) came in and played great defense on 22 (Watkins), who hurt us in the first half, and locked her down,” said Pitton.

St. Francis hosts Antelope on Saturday at 5 p.m. before closing the regular season with Grant on Tuesday. The Troubies are tied with Davis for the league lead at 11-2. Davis defeated Grant 70-60 on Friday.

“Got play a big game tomorrow but tonight was a bigger one as a league game,” said Pitton. “We could have had an emotional letdown with Marlee going down. Instead we had an emotional charge.”

St. Francis 69, Monterey Trail 41

St. Francis 20 19 19 11 – 69

Monterey Trail 9 19 10 3 – 41


SF – Bagatelos 26, Pank 11, Gage 10, Keitges 9, Kelly 6, Williams 3, Graybill 2, Lopez 1, Fleming-Mullins 1. MT – Q. Watkins 25, Thompson 5, Duong 4, Brum 3, Garcia 3, Walker 2, Singh 1.