Stafford's Season-High 24 Points Leads Fontbonne Past MacMurray

JACKSONVILLE, Ill.—Behind Rylee Stafford's game-high 24 points, the Fontbonne University women's basketball team snapped its four-game slide with an 83-53 win over MacMurray.

Final: Fontbonne 83, MacMurray 53

Location: Jacksonville, Ill.

Records: Fontbonne (2-4; 1-0 SLIAC), MacMurray (1-6; 0-1 SLIAC)

How It Happened

In the first quarter, the Griffins opened with a quick 7-0 lead just one minute and 30 seconds in. The Highlanders, though went on a 9-2 run over the next four minutest to tie it up on Alexis Doyle's 3-pointer.

The Griffins gathered themselves and closed out the final minutes on an 8-2 run of its own to lead 17-11 at the break. Fontbonne shot 58.3 percent from the field in the first and were led by Raven Venegas' six points.

In the second quarter, the Highlanders trailed 19-13 at the 8:52 mark, but the Griffins went on a 12-0 run over three minutes and 35 seconds as Stafford's 3-pointer gave them a comfortable 31-13 advantage.

With the Griffins shooting 62.5 percent from the field and its defense holding the Highlanders to a mere 26.7 field goal percentage, the Griffins headed into the break on top, 44-26. Stafford had herself a quarter going 5-of-8 from the field to end with 13 points.

Its offensive success carried over into the third with Kourtney White draining her 3-point attempt to give Fontbonne a commanding 58-27 lead with 6:57 remaining. The Griffins dominated the glass as they outrebounded the Highlanders 11-4 and went into the fourth quarter leading by 25 (63-38).

In the fourth, the Griffins shot 54.5 percent from the field and outscored MacMurray 20-15 in the fourth en route to the 30-point win.

Inside The Numbers

• The Griffins set new season-high marks in points (83), field goal percentage (54.9), assists (18), and steals (16).
• The Highlanders were held to just 15 made buckets on a 30.0 field goal percentage.
• Fontbonne controlled the glass with a 33-23 advantage.

Fontbonne Leaders

• Stafford went 9-of-15 from the floor to finish with 24 points and came away with a season-high five steals.
• Raven Venegas and Jillian Venegas each contributed 10 points and combined for 11 boards.
• The Griffins bench outscored MacMurray's 29-24 with Hannah Scharenberg leading with nine points in nine minutes of action.

MacMurray Leaders

• Alexis Doyle posted a team-high 14 points, including going 6-of-8 from the line.
• Savanah Moore added 13 off the bench.

Up Next

The Griffins return home on Saturday when they'll take on Blackburn. Tip-off at 1 p.m.

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

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