Women's Basketball Falls in Program's First Ever Game

Women's Basketball Falls in Program's First Ever Game
October 27, 2023

(Joliet, IL)-- The Cleary Cougar women's basketball team made history Friday evening, as they played the University's first ever basketball game, as they took on the St. Francis Fighting Saints in a non-conference matchup.

The two teams traded leads in the early goings, with Cleary holding a 7-5 lead before the Fighting Saints took the lead for good.  With St. Francis leading 13-12, the hosts would go on a major run, expanding their lead to 28 points in the first half before Cleary cut the deficit to 23 going into the break.

Cleary would start hitting some shots in the third quarter, and cut into the Fighting Saints' lead, but he deficit would be too much to overcome.

Mileisha Rodriguez led the way with a team high 19 points on 8-12 shooting to go with 6 rebounds.  Amy Jackson got hot from behind the arc in the second half, and that helped her post a 17 point game to go with 8 rebounds.

Turnovers were a factor, as the Fighting Saints forced Cleary into 28 turnovers in the game.  Cleary shot 22-47 (46.8%) from the floor.

History was made as Riley Merryfield scored the program's first ever points when she hit her first three pointer in the first half.  Merryfield finished with 9 points and 5 assists.  Six out of eight Cougars that played scored in the game.

Cleary starts the season 0-1.  The Cougars will have just over a week off before hitting the road again, as they take on the IU-Kokomo Cougars in a non-conference matchup on Sunday, November 5.  Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET.