Griffins win first SLIAC game with thrilling ending

Elsah, Ill. - The Fontbonne University women's basketball team opened St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a win over Principia College Tuesday night.
The Griffins defeated the Panthers 58-56 to improve to 3-1 on the season and their third straight win.

Principia led 56-54 when Fontbonne pulled out the full-court press, forcing a Principia timeout with nine seconds on the backcourt count. Principia's baseball toss to halfcourt was nullified on a walk. The Panther crowd was chanting "Defense, Defense, etc.." when Emmie Haring drove through multiple Panthers along the baseline to tie the game. Once again, Fontbonne forced Principia to use a timeout on the press with just 24 seconds remaining. Lauren Willis stole the pass from the Panthers and Fontbonne called a timeout with nine seconds remaining. Haring drained both her free throws for a Griffin 58-56 lead after she was fouled on her way to the basket with 6.7 seconds to go. The Panthers miss a last second layup, securing the Griffin win.

The Griffins got off to a slow start trailing 19-5 before scoring to 16 points to Principia's six. Fontbonne went into the locker room at halftime trailing 30-31.
During the first half, Fontbonne made three of four three-point attempts in their efforts to gain the lead.

Fontbonne took a 38-37 lead in the second half and was on top until the Panthers led 54-53 with 4:52 remaining.

Chelsy Gibson recorded the only Griffin double-double scoring 19 points while adding 11 rebounds. She was 9-15 from the field. Haring recorded 13 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Griffin Erika Kuhn roped in nine defensive rebounds while Willis added three steals in the game.

Fontbonne edged Principia in overall field goal and three-point percentage. Principia brought down eight more rebounds while the Griffins forced 21 Panther turnovers and recorded 11 steals. Principia's Kara Johnson scored 21 points while Karina Olsen scored 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Fontbonne travels to Eureka College Friday night for a 6pm tipoff. The Griffins then host Millikin University in the Dunham Student Activity Center at 2pm on Saturday, December 6th.
Griffins Olivia Hollander and DeAmbra Pilkinton didn't play due to illnesses.