Cougar News

Bourbonnais, IL - St. Xavier University improved its record to 10-0 with a 104-45 victory over Mid-Continent University (0-9) in Saturday, Dec. 5 women's basketball action at the Holiday Inn Express Chicagoland Collegiate Athletics Conference Challenge at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. St. Xavier, ranked 7th in the NAIA national preseason coaches' poll, owns victories in the last 10 days over nationally-ranked Union University (no. 1), Lambuth University (no. 9), and Bethel University (no. 20).

    MCU forward Katie Perry (Anchorage, AK/Grace Christian School) was named to the All-Tournament team after totaling 22 points and 17 rebounds in the two games at ONU.

    MCU plays two games at the Crimson Wave Invitational at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Indiana, Dec. 11-12. The Cougars take on Ashford University, Friday, Dec. 11, at 5:30 p.m., and play against either Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) or Marygrove College (Mich.), Saturday, Dec. 12, at either 12 noon or 2:00 p.m., depending on whether it wins or loses Friday evening.  Then MCU breaks for the Christmas holidays and returns to action with its first two TranSouth contests on Thursday, Jan. 7, at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville at 6:00, and against Lyon College (Ark.) at the Mayfield High School Sports Arena, Saturday, Jan. 9, at 2:00 p.m.

    St. Xavier led 44-15 at halftime and stretched its lead to as many as 62 points twice late in the second half. St. X shot .595 from the field (22-37) while MCU shot .275 (11-40) in the second half.

     In the game, MCU shot .267 (16-60) from the field and made 4 of 24 three-pointers and 9 of 11 free throws. The Cougars committed 35 turnovers, and St. Xavier stole the ball 20 times. St. Xavier shot .481 for the game (38-79), made 5 of 14 three-pointers and 23 of 30 free throws and committed just 13 turnovers. St. X also blocked 8 MCU shots and outrebounded the Cougars, 49-40.

     Two Cougars finished in double figures with junior forward Tiffany Payton (Wadesville, IN/Mater Dei HS/Kaskaskia College, IL) leading with 13 points, one three-pointer, and 8 rebounds. Junior forward Katie Perry, an All-Tournament selection, scored 11 points and gathered 11 rebounds, giving her a third double-double this season. Perry also stole the ball twice. Sophomore guard Nicki Dewitt (Louisville, KY/Atherton HS) scored a season-high 8 points with 2 three-pointers in her most extensive action of the season due to injury, and sophomore forward Amanda Daugherty (Golconda, IL/Pope County HS) scored just 2 points but contributed 4 rebounds, a blocked shot and 5 steals.

    Six St. Xavier players scored in double figures, led by starting forward Michelle Tourtillott and reserve Kathlyn McClain each with 13 points. McClain also grabbed 6 rebounds and had 3 assists and 3 steals. Reserve Maureen Downs totaled 12 points and 6 rebounds, and starters Maureen Riley and Alex Barone and reserve Brittany Jones each scored 10 points. Jones also gathered 9 rebounds and blocked 2 shots.