CLAYTON, MO – It had been 16 years since the Principia Women's Basketball team had qualified for the SLIAC Tournament, which made Tuesday night's quarterfinal game very meaningful to the players and coaches. The moment and importance of the game was not overwhelming to the Panthers as they came into Fontbonne's gym ready to battle.
Despite coming into the season very young, the team has gained a lot of game experience and mental toughness. That game experience helped the Panthers get off to a fast start, which they are known to do with stingy half-court defense allowing them to find their flow quickly. Principia would open the game with a 18-6 run, giving this Panthers team making its' first playoff appearance a big confidence boost. However, with 23 seconds left in the first quarter, Fontbonne started to punch back by hitting a pair of 3s to cut the Principia lead to 18-12. After a tight second quarter, the Panthers took a 37-35 lead into the half.
The second half with a back-and-forth affair as the Griffins gained an edge and slightly outscored the Panthers in both the third and fourth. Down by 8 with two minutes remaining, buckets by
Alana Hinson and
Taylor Brown cut the Fontbonne lead to 3 with a minute to go. The Panthers had a shot at a game-tying three in the final minute, but it would not fall. Principia was forced to foul, and made free throws by the Griffins extended their lead as the game ended with Fontbonne victorious, 76-71.
Captain
Alana Hinson finished the game with a huge double double of 21 points and 14 rebounds as she was chosen to the SLIAC All-Tournament Team. SLIAC All-Conference selection
Taylor Brown closed out her debut season with another big effort of 21 points and 7 rebounds. SLIAC All-Defensive Team member
Ariana Williams showed off her defensive prowess with 12 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block.
Carolina Rojas had a team-high 5 steals in the game while chipping in 8 points.
Newly minted SLIAC Coach of the Year,
Ramiro Dominguez, summed up the Panthers' game and season afterwards: "Wow, great game by the women on this team. All year we have been had a short roster. We practice 5 on 0 in almost every practice, but these women never give up. They adjust their games, they adjust their passing lanes, they adjust their mindset every time that we step on the floor. They surpassed expectations this season with 11 more wins than last year, and I am excited for the future for this program. This group is special, and regardless of tonight's outcome, they are winners. I am proud of them, not for just how they played, but for the people that they are and for the lives they have touched."
