By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
Former Richards standout Deniza Fuentes has proven she can open and close games.
The 5-foot-5 freshman guard not only opened things up on Nov. 16 in a nonconference game against the College of DuPage, she added a steal at the end of the game to seal a thrilling 63-61 road victory in Glen Ellyn.
Keyshia Armstrong put in a free throw with two seconds left in the game to put the Cyclones (4-3) ahead by two and Fuentes got the steal to prevent DuPage from tying or winning the game.
Fuentes led the Cyclones with 26 points and added three assists, three steals and a blocked shot. Armstrong added 11 points. Shepard grad Robin Stevenson hauled down 10 rebounds.
It marked the first time the Cyclones have had a winning record this season.
Trolls fall in first round
The Trinity Christian women’s soccer team dropped a first-round NAIA championship contest, 2-1, to Siena Heights on Nov. 16 in Spring Arbor, Michigan.
Down 2-0, Trinity’s Demi Scibetta scored while Kara Amidon was credited with the assist.
The Trolls finished at 12-4-4. It’s the 21st straight year they have won 10 or more games.
Cougars compete in nationals
Four Saint Xavier cross country runners competed in the NAIA meet on Nov. 17 in Vancouver, Washington.
In the men’s race, SXU junior Isaac Systma finished 180th out of 328 runners with a time of 26:54.9 seconds in the 8K race. Jonathan Jacobo finished 235th in 27:21.4.
In the women’s race, senior Daniella Nino, a De La Salle grad, finished 244th in 24:53.1 in the 6K race while junior Olivia Mathis took 263rd in 25:17.5. There were 331 competitors.
Panthers start out hot
The Morton College men’s basketball team beat Blackhawk, 95-76, to start the season 3-0 for the first time in 10 years.
The women’s team won its 45th straight home game with a 69-58 triumph over Blackhawk.