JOLIET, Ill. -  The University of St. Francis women's basketball team demonstrated once again the importance of getting out to an early advantage as the nationally 16th-ranked Saints claimed a 24-point halftime lead and went on to post a 67-43 non-conference victory over visiting Indiana Northwest this Tuesday (Nov. 24) evening at USF's Sullivan Center.
 

The Saints, who now stand at 5-1 overall and have won three straight outings to date, jumped out to a decisive 23-6 lead after the first quarter and then outscored the RedHawks 17-10 in the second quarter to take a 40-16 halftime advantage. 
 

The second half of the contest, which consisted of only two lead changes the entire game, saw Indiana Northwest trim its deficit to 18 points (51-33) at the close of the third quarter. A 6-2 RedHawks' run to start the fourth cut USF's lead down to 14 points (53-39) with 7:24 remaining. Following an exchange of baskets, IUNW managed to get within 14 points again at 56-42 with 4:47 left to be played before the Saints proceeded to outscore the RedHawks 11-1 in three-minute span to go up 67-43 with 1:47 left on the scoreboard clock. Neither team was able to score for the duration of the contest.

Guard-forward Justene Charlesworth (JR/Wanatah, Ind.) paced four USF players in double-figure scoring with 18 points, which included 15 in the first half.  Forward Shadrian McDaniel (JR/Chicago, Ill.) tossed in 15 points, guard Leah Sims (SR/Chicago, Ill.) tallied 14, and forward Andriana Acosta (SR/Crest Hill, Ill.) produced her second consecutive double-double with 10 points and rebounds (five offensive) apiece. The Saints claimed a 37-30 rebounds advantage with McDaniel grabbing six boards and guard-forward Josie Graffeo (SO/Manteno, Ill.) pulled down five caroms.
 

USF shot 40.7% (24-59) from the floor and knocked down 10-of-25 (40%) tries from beyond the three-point arc. The Saints went nine-of-15 (60%) in free throws and were forced into committing 13 turnovers.
 

Indiana Northwest, which falls to 1-4 overall this season with the loss, had only one individual net double-digit points as Sarah Martin's 11 points was tops for the visitors. IUNW turned the ball over 18 times and made only two-of-17 (11.8%) three-point field goal tries. The RedHawks, who like USF are Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) members, shot 37.8 percent (17-45) from the field and sank seven-of-13 (53.8%) attempts at the free throw stripe.
 

The Saints outscored IUNW 24-14 in the paint area and 12-7 in second-chance points while both teams generated 17 points each off turnovers.
 

USF compiled 11 steals with Acosta's three leading all players. Sims, Charlesworth, and forward Jordan Pyle (JR/Traralgon, Australia) all garnered two thefts apiece.
 

Next Up

The Saints will make their first road appearance of the 2020-21 season on Saturday, Dec. 5, versus CCAC member the Cardinal Stritch Wolves in a non-conference encounter. Opening tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. (CT) at the CSU Field House in Milwaukee, Wis.