LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Spalding women's basketball played SLIAC opponent Fontbonne on Saturday. SU came out with the win, 63-37.

The Golden Eagles moved to 7-12 (6-6 SLIAC), while the Griffins fell to 2-15 (2-10 SLIAC).

TURNING POINT
Spalding started the game strong, setting the tone early with aggressive defense and disciplined offensive execution. The Golden Eagles closed the first quarter leading 13-7, fueled by key buckets from Sydney Raque and Zaneiya Batiste.

Spalding's offense caught fire in the second quarter, outscoring Fontbonne 21-9. Their defensive pressure forced the Griffins into multiple turnovers, allowing the Golden Eagles to capitalize in transition. Batiste dominated the glass, securing offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points, while Ma'Kaylia Lute and Raque connected on key jump shots to stretch the lead. At halftime, Spalding held a commanding 34-16 advantage.

Fontbonne came out of the break looking to climb back into the game, showing more intensity on both ends. The Griffins slowed Spalding's offense in the third quarter, outscoring the Golden Eagles 11-9. Spalding struggled to find their rhythm as Fontbonne tightened its perimeter defense, making it difficult for the Golden Eagles to generate open looks. However, Batiste remained a force in the paint, collecting rebounds and scoring in close to keep Spalding's lead intact. A late bucket by Raque helped ensure Spalding maintained a comfortable 43-27 advantage heading into the final period.

The Golden Eagles reasserted their dominance in the fourth quarter, closing the game with a 20-10 run. Their defense, which had been the backbone of their performance, stepped up again—forcing Fontbonne into rushed shots and turnovers. Batiste continued her stellar play, scoring inside and crashing the boards with authority. Raque drained a deep three, electrifying the crowd, while Lute contributed with tough defensive stops and fast-break layups.

Spalding's ability to control the pace and dictate the game on both ends sealed the victory. By the final buzzer, the Golden Eagles had outperformed the Griffins in nearly every statistical category, with a decisive 63-37 win.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES

• Zaneiya Batiste, a dominant force, recorded a double-double with 20 points and an incredible 28 rebounds—her rebounding efforts single-handedly stifled Fontbonne's second-chance opportunities. This broke Spalding's program history with the most rebounds in a game.
• Sydney Raque scored 16 points, adding five rebounds and hitting two crucial three-pointers that gave Spalding momentum.
• Ma'Kaylia Lute played a well-rounded game with 7 points, eight rebounds, and substantial defensive contributions to help shut down Fontbonne's offense.

NEXT FOR SPALDING
Spalding will travel to SLIAC opponent Eureka on Thursday, February 6th. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 pm.