JOLIET, Ill. - A big start by the nationally 16th-ranked University of St. Francis women's basketball team to go with four USF players scoring double-digit points allowed the Saints to get past visiting Judson, 68-45, in a non-league encounter this Saturday (Nov. 21) afternoon at USF's Sullivan Center.
 

The win marked USF's second straight to date this season as the Saints improved their record to 4-1 overall.  USF, which held a 21-4 lead after the first quarter, also extended its current series winning streak against Judson to 15 consecutive games as the Saints are now 9-1 in their last 10 home appearances versus the Eagles.
 

Forward Andriana Acosta (SR/Crest Hill, Ill.) led the way for USF with a team-high 15 points and 10 rebounds (five offensive) in her season debut. Forward Shadrian McDaniel (JR/Chicago, Ill.) netted 13 points, guard-forward Josie Graffeo (SO/Manteno, Ill.) totaled 11 points, and forward Jordan Pyle (JR/Traralgon, Australia) chipped in with 10 points as the Saints managed to knock down 36.8 percent (25-68) of its shots. USF had 31 three-point attempts and made just 10 treys for 32.3 percent and sank eight-of-10 free throws for 80 percent.  
 

Sydnie Wolf poured in a game-high 16 points and was lone player in double-figure scoring for Judson, which drops to 0-3 on the season. The Eagles, who committed 19 turnovers to the Saints' seven miscues, finished the game hitting 26.4 percent (14-53) from the floor and were only six-of-20 from three-point territory for 30 percent. Judson connected on 50 percent (11-22) at the charity stripe.
 

USF was outrebounded 49-37 for the game, but had 14 assists to go with eight steals and four blocked shots. The Eagles totaled seven assists, four theft, and four shot rejections.  Pyle contributed seven rebounds and dished out a game-most five assists and Graffeo pulled down six boards. Daija Pruitt grabbed 12 caroms to lead all players, which included five on the offensive glass.
 

After holding a 21-4 lead after the opening quarter, USF would go to post a 39-25 halftime advantage. The Eagles managed to get within 12 points (39-27) at the start of the third quarter, but the Saints managed to outscore JU 14-4 in about a six-minute span to up their lead to 22 points (53-31) with 3:32 to go in the quarter. The final quarter, which consisted of a combined 21 points scored, saw USF maintain its 20-points cushion throughout as the Saints would lead by as much as 24 points on three occasions.
 

The Saints owned a commanding 30-6 advantage in points scored inside the paint over their Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) counterparts and registered a 24-6 margin in bench scoring. USF also claimed a 24-6 advantage in points off turnovers and a 19-9 lead in second-chance scoring.
 

Next Up

The Saints continue action at home this Tuesday (Nov. 24) facing the Indiana Northwest RedHawks in a non-conference outing at the Sullivan Center. A 5 p.m. (CT) start is slated for the matchup between the two CCAC-member schools.