×

Kovatch sets new school mark in loss

SEATTLE — Senior guard Jess Kovatch became the all-time leading scorer in Saint Francis history as a furious fourth quarter Red Flash rally fell just short in a 79-77 defeat to Montana in the Husky Classic at Alaska Airlines Arena. Kovatch finished with a team-high 20 points as she now has 2,345 points in her storied four-year career.

“It’s an honor,” Kovatch said. “Coming in as a freshman, going all the way back you don’t really think about that. Throughout my four years, I have to thank my teammates for giving me the ball and my past coach for creating plays and making sure I was open and setting me up for success. I have to thank my current team for helping me achieve my goal tonight.”

Montana had its largest lead of the game at 72-52 with just under seven minutes to go when a Kovatch trey sparked a 19-2 Saint Francis run over the next five minutes as two Haley Thomas free throws capped off the surge and trimmed the Grizzlies’ lead to 74-71 with two minutes remaining.

Phee Allen converted on a jumper with 49 seconds left and the Red Flash forced a turnover before Jenna Mastellone drilled a triple to narrow the margin to 78-77 with 32 left, but Montana made 1-of-2 free throws with 19 seconds left to give the Grizzlies a 79-77 go-ahead lead.

Kovatch’s three-point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark as the Red Flash rally came up just short.

Saint Francis shot 26-of-65 from the field, including 14-of-33 from behind the three-point arc and 11-of-19 from the free throw line, and the Red Flash outscored the Grizzlies, 29-18, in the fourth quarter.

Sam Sabino forced three steals as Saint Francis had 11 takeaways, and the Red Flash defense turned up the pressure late and had 22 points off 20 Montana turnovers.

Montana jumped out to a 7-3 lead as the Grizzlies controlled the tempo early on. Aunesha Williams scored the first eight points of the game for Saint Francis on two three-pointers and a jumper with 5:58 left to put SFU ahead. The Grizzlies then used a 15-0 run to grab a 22-8 advantage with 1:44 to play in the period before Haley Thomas made a layup with five seconds to go as the Red Flash trailed 24-13 at the end of the first frame

Courtney Zezza, who finished with 15 points and six rebounds, caught fire with seven points over a three-minute stretch as her trifecta cut Montana’s lead to 31-22 with 5:05 remaining in the period

A Kovatch three-pointer followed by two Karson Swogger free throws pulled Saint Francis within four as the Red Flash trailed 31-27

Montana responded with an 8-3 run to close the half as the Grizzlies led 39-30 at intermission.

Saint Francis returns to the hardwood when the Red Flash host Morehead State on Wednesday. Tip-off at DeGol Arena is set for 6 p.m.

SAINT FRANCIS (77): Kovatch 7 0-1 20, Zezzo 4 3-4 15, Thomas 3 2-2 8, Williams 3 0-0 8, Swogger 0 2-4 2, Mastellone 3 3-4 10, Allen 4 1-2 9, Sabino 1 0-2 3, Morrow 1 0-0 2, Timbers 0 0-0 0. Totals — 26 11-19 77.

MONTANA (79): Henderson 9 2-4 18, Johnston 7 1-2 15, Stockholm 6 1-2 14, Goligoski 3 0-0 7, Harrington 2 2-2 6, Moyhue 3 3-4 10, Anderson 2 2-2 6, Gfeller 1 1-2 3, Schweyem 0 0-0 0, Frohlich 0 0-0 0. Totals — 32 12-18 79.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Saint Francis 13 17 18 29 — 77

Montana 24 15 22 18 — 79

3-point goals: Saint Francis 14 (Kovatch 6, Zezzo 4, Williams 2, Mastellone, Sabino); Montana 3 (Stockholm, Goligoski, Moyhue). Assists: Saint Francis 14 (Kovatch, Thomas 4, Swogger 2, Mastellone, Allen 3, Sabino, Morrow, Timbers); Montana 20 (Henderson 9, Johnston, Stockholm 2, Goligoski 4, Harrington 3, Anderson). Rebounds: Saint Francis 30 (Zezzo 6, Thomas 4, Williams 3, Mastellone 3, Allen 4, Sabino 4, Morrow 2, Timbers); Montana 42 (Henderson 10, Johnston 5, Stockholm 6, Goligoski, Harrington 6, Moyhue 5, Anderson 2, Frohlich 3, Team 4).

Records: Saint Francis (2-8); Montana (5-4).

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today