Free-throw shooting bites Griffins in loss to MacMurray

Jacksonville, Ill. - Fontbonne women's basketball suffered a 63-60 blow tonight as the MacMurray College Highlanders recorded their first win of the season. The loss takes the Griffins below .500 in conference with a 4-5 SLIAC record.

A close first-quarter was left in the dust when MacMurray posted 17 second-quarter points to Fontbonne's 10. Ten of those came off turnovers, giving MacMurray a 29-21 halftime lead.

The Griffins returned the favor, with a 17-9 third-quarter advantage. Trailing 33-25, Fontbonne posted eight straight points as Molly Ray sank both free-throws to tie the game 33-33. Fontbonne led 38-35 until Kayla Horlacher connected on a trey to tie the game with 12 seconds left before the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, MacMurray led 46-42 until the Griffins took the lead with eight straight points, two buckets each by Jessica Jordan and Nicole Joerger for the 50-46 upper hand. The teams were tied for the final time with 3:16 left to play. Fontbonne trailed by five with roughly 10 seconds to go with Joerger connected on a trey to pull within two. MacMurray closed out the win with a free throw.

Fontbonne ultimately suffered at the charity stripe, making 10-of-19 attempts whilte MacMurray's second-half three-point shooting lifted them over the Griffins who managed just 22.2% from long range.

While DeAmbra Pilkinton led the Griffins with 11 points, senior Erika Kuhn pulled in 10 rebounds and 8 points. Junior Emmie Haring once again led the floor with eight assists, seven steals, seven points and four rebounds.

Fontbonne plays at Blackburn Saturday and returns home to host Iowa Wesleyan at 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 27th.