Women's Basketball Stays Unbeaten In Conference Play, Stafford Nets Game-High 21 Against Beavers

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University women's basketball team stayed unbeaten in conference play on Saturday after earning the 60-46 win over Blackburn.

Final: Fontbonne 60, Blackburn 46

Location: DSAC

Records: Fontbonne (3-4; 2-0 SLIAC), Blackburn (2-4; 0-2 SLIAC)

How It Happened

In the first quarter, the Griffins owned an 8-4 lead at the 6:42 mark on Jillian Venegas' made layup. The two teams met-up at 11-11 at 2:22 on Savannah Kruse made free throws. Fontbonne, though rattled off a 5-0 run and that gave them the 16-11 advantage on Madison Boaz's 3-pointer.

The Beavers got right back in it with a 4-0 run of its own as Maria Cline's jumper put them down 16-15 after one.

In the second quarter, both teams had its struggles offensively with Blackburn going 1-of-12 (8.3 percent), while Fontbonne went 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) from the floor. Despite the shooting percentage, the Griffins went into the locker room on top, 25-20.

In the third, the Griffins opened with a 4-0 run to gain the 29-20 lead with 6:52 remaining. Three minutes and change later, Mallory Proffer hit her 3-pointer to give Fontbonne a 38-26 lead. The Beavers registered the final four points and trailed 38-30 going into the fourth.

In the fourth, back-to-back 3-pointers from Rylee Stafford had Fontbonne out in front, 47-35, with 6:23 to go. With Fontbonne shooting an improved 55.6 percent from the floor and 57.1 percent from downtown, the Griffins were able to go on for the 14-point win.

Inside The Numbers

• Fontbonne ended the afternoon with a 34.0 field goal percentage and tied its season-high with 12 3-pointers made.
• Defensively, they earned 14 steals.
• Blackburn ended with a 33.3 field goal percentage.
• They outrebounded Fontbonne on the glass, 38-27.

Blackburn Leaders

• Kruse and Maria Cline tied with 11 points each. Cline also posted a game-high 16 boards.
• Lexie Black was the final player in double-figures with 10.

Fontbonne Leaders

• Stafford earned her second straight 20-plus game as she finished with a game-high 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting. 13 of her 21 came in the fourth quarter.
• Boaz and Riley Guffey had nine points each.

Up Next

The Griffins will stay at home on Tuesday when they'll welcome (RV) WashU. Tip-off at 6 p.m.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates on the women's basketball team.

Make sure to follow us on all our social media accounts: Twitter (@FBUGriffins), Instagram (@fbugriffins) and Facebook (/FontbonneUGriffins).