SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With Bella Vista within five points late in the game, junior Susie Rogers and senior Gillian Balbierz hit back-to-back three-pointers to help seal the victory 55-49 for the Troubadours. St. Francis won for the second consecutive game, improving to 8-5 on the season.

“They were definitely big shots,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “It was nice to see them come through in the clutch.”

Rogers led the team in scoring with 14 points, including two second half triples. Senior Amanda Davenport came off the bench to contribute 10 points with four steals. Sophomore Lauren Craig had a season-high 19 rebounds to go along with six points.

“It was a great effort by Lauren Craig with 19 rebounds tonight,” said Pitton. “I thought Susie played a pretty good game and Amanda Davenport hit some big shots for us tonight.”

St. Francis opened the game on an 8-0 run and built a double-digit lead they maintained for most of the first three quarters. Eight played scored in the first half led by Craig’s six points.

“We wanted to push the tempo early and sustain it throughout the game,” said Pitton. “They came out ready to play and had their tempo up. We just did not sustain it.”

Bella Vista went into the fourth trailing by nine but cut the lead to five two times. Rogers’ three ended the run and extended the lead to 52-44. Balbierz followed with another three-pointer on the next possession.

“I took a lot of threes tonight and did not make that many but luckily that one went in,” said Rogers after the game.

St. Francis travels to Oakmont on Thursday. The freshmen open play at 4:00 p.m., followed by the JV and varsity units. It will be the third consecutive game for the Troubadours and third of four this week.

“We build off the previous games so I like it,” said Rogers.

Kesler Johnson led the Broncos with a game-high 24 points.

ST. FRANCIS 55, BELLA VISTA 49

BV – K. Johnson 24, B. Johnson 9, Garvey 8, Schupp 3, Krugger 2, Coffin 2, DiRegolo 1. SF – Rogers 14, Davenport 10, Craig 6, Lau 4, Ortiz 4, Dow 4, Robinson 4, Balbierz 3, Bailey 2, Edrosolan 2, Huffman 2.

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