Saint Francis basketball tip off seasons this week

Saint Francis

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The postgame handshake line was moving briskly when the two coaches’ paths passed on the sideline.Sunday

Of course, one play alone cannot be the deciding factor between winning and losing, regardless of the contest or event.January 22, 2012

Saint Francis gets past Huntington

Of course, one play alone cannot be the deciding factor between winning and losing, regardless of the contest or event.January 21, 2012

The Saint Francis men’s and women’s basketball teams will begin their seasons Friday at a tournament at the Hutzell Center.

The Cougars’ women’s team, ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Division II poll, will play Roberts Wesleyan (Rochester, N.Y.) at 6 p.m.; the men’s team, No. 23 in the preseason NAIA Division II poll, will play Ohio State-Lima at 8 p.m.

The women also play at 4 p.m. Saturday against Daemen College (Amherst, N.Y.).

Saint Francis’ women’s team was 15-16 last year and fifth in the Mid-Central College Conference at 8-8. The Cougars will have a new look this season with the debuts of former Bishop Luers player Markee Martin and ex-Concordia Cadet Chanell Ridley.

The men will also play Saturday in the tournament, either in the 2 p.m. consolation game or 6 p.m. championship.

Junior DeJovaun Sawyer-Davis was a second-team NAIA All-American selection after he led the MCC in scoring with 23.7 points per game in his first season at Saint Francis.

Saint Francis was 17-14 last season and fourth in the Mid-Central at 9-7.