LOOMIS, Calif. – St. Francis erased a double-digit first-quarter deficit to take Del Oro down to the final seconds before the  Eagles prevailed 46-45 in a hard-fought non-league game Monday night.

“Our defensive intensity was very strong,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We gave ourselves an opportunity and got back in the game after digging a deep hole. It is the resiliency and chemistry of this team that allows them to play as a unit. They are getting better and better.”

Sophomore Lauren Craig scored a career-high 16 points to lead the Troubadours. Senior Abby Dow added seven in the contest and junior Susie Rogers and Jillian Balbierz each contributed six points.

“Lauren played a great game,” said Pitton. “She played against a very talented player and fouled her and her backup out of the game. It was certainly the best game Lauren has had as a varsity basketball player. You can see her blossoming on the court.”

Del Oro jumped out to a 19-8 lead after the first eight minutes behind nine points by Mia Miglinte, who finished with 15 for the Eagles. The Troubadours cut into the lead in the second behind seven points by Dow and trailed by only eight at the break.

St. Francis (2-3) opened the second half with a 10-2 run, tying the game at 31 on a bucket by Craig with 3:10 left in the quarter. The Troubies took the lead 36-34 on a three-pointer by Amanda Davenport in the fourth. But the Eagles went on an 8-0 run over the next three minutes to take control.

The Troubadours fought to the end, pulling within three on a triple by Balbierz with 1:39 left but were unable to close the deficit. St. Francis had a final possession in the final seconds with a chance to win but were unable to get a shot off after a length of the court pass.

“We have a lot of things to do with our offense,” said Pitton. “We are looking for our team to continue to grow and to grow together. If we do that, we will be where we need to be at the end of the season.”

St. Francis returns to action this weekend with tournament for the second consecutive week, traveling to Lodi starting Thursday.

FINAL VARSITY SCORE: DEL ORO 46, ST. FRANCIS 45

St. Francis  8  13  12 12 – 45
Del Oro  19 5 10   12 – 46

SF – Craig 16, Dow 7, Rogers 6, Balbierz 6, Davenport 5, Lau 3, Edrosolan 2. DO – Miglente 15, Yarnell 6, Jordan 6, Heyn 6, Mitch 5, Hirota 2, Runte 2, Lahmann 2, Balster 2.