UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. - The University of St. Francis men's basketball team posted its fourth victory in a row to register a 74-66 non-conference win over Governors State this Saturday (Dec. 12) afternoon at GSU's Athletics and Recreation Center (ARC).
The win improves USF's record to 4-1 and gives the Saints their first road win of the season over its Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) counterparts Governors State who fall to 2-4 overall this season.
USF controlled this game from the tip after guard Russell Tillery (Sr/Portland, Ore.) opened the first half with three field goals in a row. The Saints held an 0-8 advantage early with 17:32 remaining in the first half and never looked back from there. After an Eric Ting (Sr/Taoyuan, Taiwan) three-point field goal, the Saints would extend their margin to 18 in the closing moments of the first half. The Saints finished the first half leading 36-21 shooting 39% (11-28) from the field, 33.3% (3-9) from the three-point line, and 84% (11-13) from the free-throw line.
The Saints controlled much of the second half offensively. A dunk by Lewis Holey (Sr/Sydney, Australia) would give the Saints another 18 point advantage with 16:16 remaining in the second half. With momentum on their side, the Saints would finish strong and walk away with the victory despite being outscored in the second half 45-38. The Saints finished the game shooting 43% (21-48) from the field, 31% (6-19) from beyond the arch, and 74% (26-35) from the free-throw line.
USF had three players in double-figure scoring as guard Tillery led the way with team-high 19 points in his first career start. Tillery shot 66%(8-12) from the field including one three-point field goal and two free-throws. Guard Ting would add 12 points shooting 75% (3-4) from the field and 80% (4-5) from the free-throw line. Foward Holey put in 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Holey also led the team in assists, recording three assists.
Defensively, the Saints held the Jaguars to only three 3-point field goals. The Jaguars finished the game shooting 33% from the field and 17% from beyond the arch. USF forced 16 turnovers and outrebounded the Governors State 41-37. Deandre Johnson (Sr/Watts Calif) grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and recorded his third double-digit rebound game this season.
Up Next
USF's next stop on their three-game road trip will be in Mount Pleasant, Michigan where the Saints will go up against Central Michigan on Monday (Dec14). This match-up will be an exhibition game for the Saints and tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 (C.T.) at McGuirk Arena.
