SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Trailing 37-30 with three minutes on the clock, St. Francis closed the game on an 11-0 run to advance past No. 9 seed Roseville in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs.

“The last three and half minutes were fantastic,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “The first 28 and half was not quite up to our standards.”

The Troubies trailed 37-30 after managing just eight points in the third quarter but turned up the pressure to get back in the game in short order.

“We were a bit frazzled and we could not get into sync or rhythm,” said Pitton after the game. “Finally we picked up the pressure full court and it was able to trigger us to go forward.”

Gage scored back-to-back baskets before Jorie Keitges hit a big three-pointer to kick start the rally. Sophomore Mia Fleming-
Mullins then converted two baskets after stops to tie the game and put the Troubies ahead 39-37. Junior Ally Gage, who finished with 10 points, completed the run with two free throws.

“She played with four fouls but was still able to play smart enough and keep being aggressive in a smart way and not expose herself,” said Pitton. “It was huge she picked up those free throws.”

Senior Logan Kelly, who was playing in potentially her last game at home, was big on the boards for the Troubies, grabbing 14 rebounds in the contest.

“The effort she showed with her shoulder bothering her was tremendous,” said Pitton. “She pushed through it and was able to perform excellently on the boards.”

Junior Nika Bagatelos was the majority of the offense in the first half, hitting four three-pointers for 12 points as the Troubadours scored just six baskets overall in the first half with three free throws.

“I was shooting well in warmups and they were leaving me open,” said Bagatelos.

St. Francis was not ready to call it a season and Pitton rallied the team in the final minutes.

“He was telling us to play composed but play strong as a team,” said Gage. “He told not to play frantic and we finally listened after three quarters.”

No. 8 seed St. Francis will travel to play top-seeded Antelope on Thursday at 7 p.m.

“I expect them to be very aggressive and athletic,” said Gage. “We are going to play well and be on our game.”

Pitton, who is retiring at the end of the season, was beaming after the game.

“He was super proud of us but wondering why we waited until the last three minutes (to play) because we scared him,” said Bagatelos. “He told to do it the whole game (next time).

They get the chance on Thursday.

St. Francis 41, Roseville 37

Roseville 10 9 11 7 — 37

St. Francis 10 10 8 13 – 41

SF – Bagatelos 12, Gage 10, Fleming-Mullins 8, Keitges 6, Williams 3, Kelly 2.  A – Sandle 8, Bowen-0seay 7, Beam 6, Amos 6, Sanders 5, Amos 4, Loughran 1.