Griffins Succumb to Blackburn 68-81

St. Louis-Fontbonne University women's basketball couldn't score in the final three minutes, allowing Blackburn to win 81-68. The Griffins slip to 4-9 in conference play.

A close first half favored Fontbonne as the Griffins held a 34-29 lead at halftime. After leading seince the 1:29 mar, Fontbonne scored the frist basket out of the locker room but then allowed Blackburn to score eight consecutive points for a one-point lead. Fontbonne regained control scoring the next seven for a 43-37 rebound. Blackburn took a 53-49 lead with 12:33 remaining.

Back and forth buckets got gans on the edge of their seats for most of the second half. Blackburn led 64-61 with 7:10 to go. DeAmbra Pilkinton scored a jumper from Molly Ray to pull the Griffins wihin two (68-70) with 3:39 left in the game. A Griffin timout and four turnovers later, Fontbonne was held scoreless for the remainder of the half as Blackburn notched 11 more points.

Blackburn's Shelby Smith scored 22 points in the win. Ciara Morgan recorded the only double-double on the night with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Nicole Joerger led Fontbonne with 15 points, scoring three of four three-point attempts. Chelsey Freymuth nothced 13 points, Pilkinton finished with 12 points and four assists and Olivia Hollander totaled 10 points and eight rebounds. Emily Haring completed seven assists to aid in the Grriffin offense.

Fontbonne travels to Greenville this Saturday for a 1pm matchup against the Panthers.