Freshman Duo Ancelet and Trout Post Career Highs

UPLAND, Ind. – Freshman Emma Ancelet scored a career-high 20 points and freshman Marissa Trout added a career-best 14, but RV Taylor could not sustain a hot second quarter in Wednesday's 72-62 loss to league-leading No. 7 Saint Francis at Odle Arena.

The Trojans fall to 16-9 overall and 6-9 in Crossroads League play with their fifth consecutive defeat, while the Cougars improve to 23-2 overall and 13-2 in league action.

Ancelet shot 7 of 12 from the field and drained five 3-pointers on eight attempts, while Trout connected on 6 of 9 from the floor and grabbed six rebounds. The pair led a second-quarter surge that gave Taylor a 39-37 halftime advantage, but the Trojans managed just nine third-quarter points as Saint Francis pulled away with high efficiency and interior dominance.

Quinn Kelly grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to go with eight points and two assists, her fifth outing with double-digit boards. Kaycie Warfel contributed eight points and a team-best four assists, and Madi Allen added seven points, five rebounds and two assists. Taylor's bench outscored Saint Francis 22-6, led by Ancelet's 20 points. The Trojans shot 40.9 percent from three-point range and matched the Cougars 28-28 on the glass. Taylor's nine made 3-pointers matched its most since hitting nine against Saint Francis earlier this season and represented the second-highest total of the year.

Saint Francis built a 16-11 first-quarter lead, but Taylor countered with one of its best quarters of the season in the second period, scoring 28 points on 73.3 percent shooting and 71.4 percent from three-point range. Ancelet hit three treys and finished the opening half with nine points. The Trojans outscored the Cougars by seven in the second quarter, 28-21, after three lead changes.

In the third period, a pair of quick buckets from Warfel and Trout put the Trojans ahead 44-40 and forced the Cougars to call an early timeout. But the game turned after that as Taylor shot 30 percent in the period, and Saint Francis responded with 18 points to grab a 55-48 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Cougars shot 60.4 percent for the game and dominated inside with a 42-20 advantage in points in the paint.

Ancelet scored 10 fourth-quarter points on 4-of-7 shooting, including two more 3-pointers, but Saint Francis answered each Taylor run. The Cougars controlled the final period and closed out the win at the free-throw line. 

Cali Gregory led all scorers with 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting and pulled down seven rebounds to lead Saint Francis. Isabella Gizzi shot 8 of 9 from the field for 22 points and added six rebounds and three assists. 

Taylor returns to action Saturday when it hosts Senior Day against Huntington (18-7, 10-5 CL) at 1 p.m. inside Odle Arena. Both teams received votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll released earlier today.