Four Griffins Reach Double-Figures In Win Over Principia, Jillian Venegas Scores Career-High 16

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Behind four Griffins reaching double-digits in scoring, the Fontbonne University women's basketball team improved to 3-3 overall after an 81-55 win over Principia.

The Griffins (3-3), shot 38.8 percent from the floor, pulled down a season-high 24 offensive rebounds, and limited themselves to a season-low 11 turnovers.

Individually, Jillian Venegas led the Griffins with a career-high 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting and added seven boards.

Raven Venegas recorded 15 points and nine rebounds, while Sarah Schraut came off the bench to record her second double-double on the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Rylee Stafford was the final Griffin in double-figures with 12.

The Panthers (0-7), shot 44.0 percent from the floor but had trouble controlling the ball with its 28 turnovers. Nikki Matters led all scorers with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Sophia Hathaway netted 20 and corralled 11 rebounds.

In the first, the Griffins jumped out to an 11-7 lead with 5:05 to go after Schraut made her lay-up. The team continued its dominance from there closing out on an 11-5 run, including holding the Panthers scoreless the final 2:33 to take the 22-12 lead.

In the second, consecutive buckets from Jillian Venegas gave the Griffins a double-digit lead of 29-17 with 6:39 on the clock. The team maintained control the rest of the way, totaling seven more turnovers and outscoring Principia 8-7 the final six minutes to own a 37-24 lead at the break.

Fontbonne dominated the glass with a 21-11 advantage and forced 17 Panthers turnovers through the first 20:00 minutes of action.

In the third, the Griffins came out with a sense of urgency and picked up its aggressiveness on the glass with eight offensive rebounds, compared to just one for Principia.

With 6:16 to go in the third, Jillian Venegas connected on a 3-pointer to put Fontbonne well in control at 52-32. They outscored the Panthers 27-16 in the quarter and went into the fourth leading by 24 points (64-40).

In the finale, the Panthers shot an improved 42.9 percent from the floor, but the Griffins made its necessary shots to go on for the 26-point win.

The team returns to action on Saturday in its final home game of the month against Central (Iowa). Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.

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