CARMICHAEL, Calif. – Junior Susie Rogers scored a game-high 14 points in a 52-41 loss to Franklin in the Foundation Game to open the 2013-14 season for the Troubadours.

“Susie has been playing like this in practice,” said Head Coach Pitton. “We have used her as the role model to set the stage for everyone else. We have challenged the rest of the players to practice like Susie. It showed tonight. She played a heck of a game.”

St. Francis fell behind early 10-3 after one quarter, getting just a single three-pointer by Rogers. The Troubadours turned up the defensive pressure, cutting into a 13-point deficit with a 10-2 run to close the half to trail just 20-15 at the intermission.

The Troubies quickly tied the game at 20 and again at 28 in the third quarter before taking their only lead of the game at 29-28 with 1:41 left.

“The girls got after there at the end of the second quarter and in the third,” said Pitton. “But when you play like that it takes a lot of energy. We were not always able to have five players on the floor playing together and with that type of energy.”

Franklin regained the lead with a 5-0 run to lead 33-29 at the end of the third, taking control with a 14-4 run to extend the lead to 10 points.

“Our offense was really sloppy tonight with so many unforced turnovers and when we able to get some good looks we were not able to convert,” said Pitton.
Lauren Craig was plagued with foul trouble for most of the contest but sophomore Angie Ortiz came off the bench to score double digits, recording 10 points in the second half

“Angie Ortiz came in and really gave us some quality minutes,” said Pitton.
St. Francis travels to Placer as all three levels open the season Tuesday night beginning with the freshman contest at 4 p.m. The JV squad plays at 5:30 followed by the varsity at 7 p.m.

“Hopefully, we can answer the bell because we need to play better than we did tonight,” said Pitton.