SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Danika Bailey hit a layup on a fast break from junior Kristi Edrosolan in the final minute to seal the St. Francis victory over Kennedy 49-48 in a back-and-fourth game on Saturday. The Troubadours remained undefeated at home this season, winning their fourth straight on their home court.

“Kristi came in today and made some big plays,” said Pitton. “She made some major contributions and certainly the last one was huge. Danika saved her one shot for the best right at the end when we needed it.”

Edrosolan finished with seven points, two boards and two assists.

“I just really wanted us to win so I was doing anything I could to get the W,” said Edrosolan.

Kennedy opened the game strong to build a 17-11 lead in the first quarter, getting three three-pointers from three different players. St. Francis (12-7) tied the game going into halftime at 23 and opened the third with a 10-0 run to take a 33-23 advantage.

The Cougars got back in the game via the three-point shot, hitting six in the second half. Katie Lee made five in the half, finishing with a game-high 18 points.

“Katie Lee was en fuego,” said Pitton. “We did not quite follow our defensive instructions. We needed to be on her a little closer. She burned us and had a great game.”

Kennedy (7-8) took a 48-45 lead late but did not score the rest of the game. St. Francis pulled within one basket on a pair of free throws by Gillian Balbierz, setting up the opportunity for Bailey’s driving layup to win the game.

“I was just thinking about doing it like in practice,” said Bailey. “I just went up and made it.”

Looking to close out the game, the Troubadours turned the ball over with 23 seconds left, giving Kennedy a chance to take the last shot for the win.

“It was up to the basketball gods at that point,” said Pitton. “She took a good shot and it didn’t go in.”

Kennedy is coached by former St. Francis Head Coach Dave Parsh, who led the Troubies to the state championship in 1993.

“Dave is responsible for me coming to St. Francis,” said Pitton. “He brought me as a freshmen coach way back when and we coached AAU together. When he stepped aside, he recommended I take over for him. He is one of my coaching friends and I have the utmost respect for him. He will always keep his teams in the game and give them a chance to win. He is proven he is one of the best coaches in northern California.”

St. Francis finished with a perfect week, defeating Ponderosa, Sheldon and Kennedy.

“It felt really good,” said Edrosolan. “In the past, we have lost some really close games as well. It was really nice to win.”

Sophomore Lauren Craig recorded her eighth double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Junior Susie Rogers added nine points, while junior Isabel Soloaga contributed seven points in her first career varsity start.

St. Francis plays on the road on Thursday at Pleasant Grove with the JV and varsity teams in action starting at 5:30 p.m.

ST. FRANCIS 49, KENNEDY 48

K – Lee 18, Owen 11, Ji. Lauderdale 7, Je. Lauderdale 7, Mitchell 3, Yee 2. SF – Craig 11, Rogers 9, Edrosolan 7, Soloaga 7, Huffman 6, Balbierz 3, Lau 2, Bailey 2, Dow 2.