CHANDLER, Ariz. – Senior guard Kristen Lau made six straight free throws in the final 1:52 to help seal the victory over Animo South of Los Angeles 46-38 Friday afternoon in the second round of the Nike Tournament of Champions.

“I was so nervous to be honest, said Lau. “After I made the first two, I just forgot about it. I just tried to relax and pretend it was like practice.”

The Troubadours held a 40-38 lead when Lau was fouled with 1:51 left. She calmly made both to extend the lead to four points. One minute later, Lau connected on two more charity shots to extend the lead to six points. After a basket, the Panthers were charged with an intentional foul with Lau hitting both shots and the Troubadours ran out the clock.

“She showed a lot of composure out there,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “She was able to run our offense and do what I instructed them to do. I was very proud of the growth she showed in the fourth quarter.”

Sophomore Lauren Craig led the team for the second straight game with 10 points while grabbing eight boards.

Animo South (7-6) kept the game close early in a low-scoring first quarter. St. Francis led 9-7 after the first eight minutes. They took control in the second quarter, extending the lead to 10 points at the break.

“We did not play great offensively but we took advantage of Lauren and Angie inside,” said Pitton. “They had a good first half and things seemed to be flowing our way. But knew we had to come out in the third quarter.”

Junior Susie Rogers had eight points and sophomores Craig and Angie Ortiz each contributed six points in the first half.

“We were able to get on the inside and our shooters did really well,” said Ortiz. “Susie shot the ball really well. The defense had to adjust to us.”

Animo South fought back in the third quarter from an 11-point deficit to within one at 32-31. But the Troubies never relinquished the lead.

“Abby and Gillian were both playing good defense for us,” said Pitton. “Kristi really gave us some quality minutes off the bench, including that baseline drive. They were over playing the wing and trying to take away the passing lanes. She took advantage of it and scored. I was really happy for her because that was a big moment for us.”

During the run, senior Abby Dow, Craig and junior Kristi Edrosolan hit consecutive baskets to protect the lead.

“Once we had the lead, we wanted to take it slow on offense and keep the ball in possession,” said Dow, who finished with seven points and team-high tying eight boards. “We wanted to keep putting on the pressure on defense and keep them from the basket.”

St. Francis led 38-36 with just under two minutes left when Lau was fouled. She hit six straight while the Troubies allowed just one basket during the same time span to seal the game.

“The team win felt really good and I thought we really advanced a lot from the day before,” said Ortiz. “All in all, we played a good game and got the W.”
Rogers left the game in the third quarter with an injury and did not return, forcing the team to deal without their floor leader.

St. Francis improved to 6-4 on the season and 1-1 for the tournament. They play their third and final game Saturday at Noon at Perry High School.

Nike Tournament of Champions
Chandler, Ariz.

Animo South 7 9 10 10 -38
St. Francis 9 17 6 14 – 46

AS- Fuller 14, Braxton 14, Powers 5, Townsends 3, Franklin 2. SF- Craig 10, Dow 7, Rogers 7, Ortiz 6, Lau 6, Davenport 4, Edrosolan 2, Balbierz 2, Bailey 2.