Bourbonnais, Ill. – Despite a 32-point effort from sophomore forward
Veronica Bafia (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township), who shot an impressive 87.5 percent (14-for-16) from the floor, the Saint Xavier University women's basketball team (15-8, 11-4 CCAC) lost to Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action Saturday afternoon at the McHie Arena in Bourbonnais, Ill. Bafia established a new career-high in points, besting her mark of 31 points in the season opener on October 30 in a win over Cleary University (Mich.). Her 14 made field goals are tied for ninth-most in team history, and her field goal percentage is tied for eighth best for the Cougars. Bafia added a career-high tying five assists, five rebounds (three offensive) and a steal in 36 minutes on the court.
Bafia netted 17 points in the first quarter, making all seven of her shot attempts, and SXU shot a blistering 80.0 percent (12-for-15) from the field to carry a 31-29 lead after 10 minutes of play. Saint Xavier held the Tigers to 31.8 percent shooting (7-for-22) in the second period, however ONU made nine of 10 foul shots, and outscoring the Cougars 25-15 in the frame, to go up 54-46 at halftime. Olivet Nazarene added to its lead in the third quarter, building a 74-62 advantage. Bafia made four of her five shot attempts, collecting nine points in the fourth period, including a basket that cut the deficit to 85-82 with only 1:37 remaining. The Tigers scored on the next possession and forced three turnovers to pull away for the win.
- Freshman guard Brooklynn Johnson (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) knocked down four three-pointers on eight attempts, finishing with 16 points. She also had four rebounds and a pair of assists in 28 minutes.
- Freshman forward Alaina Peetz (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) posted her fifth double-double of the season, collecting 13 point and 13 rebounds. It was her 10th game with 10 or more rebounds in 2025-26. She handed out a career-best six assists, along with two steals and a blocked shot in 38 minutes on the court.
- Senior guard Jaidn Green (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) scored 10 points with a season-best tying five assists, three rebounds and two steals while logging 30 minutes of action.
- Senior guard Lia Chudzik (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee) recorded seven points, four assists and four rebounds.
- SXU dished out a season-best 25 assists, their fourth game with 20 or more assists this season.
Saint Xavier (15-8/11-4 CCAC) hosts Indiana University Northwest in a CCAC contest at the Shannon Center on Wednesday, February 11. The game is slated for a 5:00 pm start.
