SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis basketball team won its home opener with a 65-25 victory over Chavez of Stockton Tuesday night. Sophomore Lauren Craig led the team with 13 points and 12 rebounds, recording her fifth double-double of the season. Senior Gillian Balbierz and sophomore Susie Rogers each tallied nine points in the winning effort. All twelve Troubadours scored in the contest.

“I thought after the first few minutes our defense really picked it up,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We had intensity with ball pressure and we were playing the passing lanes looking for deflections. We rebounded well and really had good composure with the ball tonight.”

The Troubadours built a 16-7 lead in the first quarter and out-scored the Lady Titans 16-6 in the second to take a 19-point lead at the break. In the third quarter, the Troubies held the Titans to just a single basket to build the lead to 49-15.

“I thought we prepared better and seemed more focused prior to the game,” said Gillian Balbierz. “It helped us come out strong and prepare the pressure to make them panic.”

Sophomore Lauren Craig led the team with 13 points and 12 rebounds, recording her fifth double-double of the season. Senior Gillian Balbierz and sophomore Susie Rogers each tallied nine points in the winning effort. All twelve Troubadours scored in the contest.

“I was really happy to see all 12 players score,” said Pitton.

Isabel Soloaga and Kyra Huffman each came off the bench to notch six points in the game. Senior Kristen Lau scored five points, while Danika Bailey and Kristi Edrosolan added four points

“I thought the passing was a lot better,” said Pitton. “We took more time to see who was open and what the situation versus passing in a panic situation. On offense, we really showed some patience and as a result we got the shots we wanted.”

St. Francis (7-5) played its first 11 games on the road and neutral sites.

“It felt great to play at home,” said Balbierz. “I have missed it because I feel so much more comfortable here than at other gyms.”

The Troubies return to the home court again Wednesday against Bella Vista. The first game tips off at 4:30 p.m.

ST. FRANCIS 65, CHAVEZ (STOCKTON) 25

C – Bumanglag 6, Jacro 5, Thompson 4, Holland 4, White 2, Hallman 2, Sandoval 2. SF – Craig 13, Rogers 9, Balbierz 9, Huffman 6, Soloaga 6, Lau 5, Bailey 4, Edrosolan 4, Robinson 3, Dow 2, Ortiz 2, Davenport 2.

JV Posts Big Victory over Chavez

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Janae Fairbrook and Aliyah Williams each scored 11 points as all nine players scored in a 55-16 victory over Chavez. The Troubadours led at the break 29-13 before holding the Lady Titans to no points in the third quarter and three total for the half to cruise to the easy victory. St. Francis improved to 9-3 on the season. Emma Kennedy and Maddy Haynes each added eight points for St. Francis. The team returns to the court this afternoon against Bella Vista.

SF – Williams 11, Fairbrook 11, Haynes 8, Kennedy 8, Meyers 5, Okugo 5, Molodanof 3, Cerezo Rangel 3, Avila 1.