DUBUQUE, Iowa --- The University of St. Francis women's basketball team erased an 18-point third-quarter deficit, but NAIA No.18 ranked Clarke University (Iowa) answered with its own late surge to earn a 66-53 victory and snap the Saints' season-high four-game winning streak in a battle of highly-regarded foes Saturday afternoon.

Normally a fast starter, the Saints – among others receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll - got out of the blocks slow on Saturday falling behind 16-5 at one point before settling for an eight-point deficit (17-9) at the end of the first quarter. Clarke's 7-of-13 shooting mark from the field (.539) opposite USF's .214 report (3-of-14) in the opening frame forced the Saints (6-2) to put their rally caps on early.

They did just that in winning both the second (13-12) and third quarters (17-15) to shrink the deficit down to 44-39 heading into the fourth quarter. Before claiming the third-quarter victory, however, the Saints had to respond to Clarke's 13-4 run right after the intermission, which gave the Pride (6-2) their biggest advantage of the game at 42-24.

Fueled by three straight three-pointers from Braxtin Mickens, Jorja Bolton and Kalyn Sias-Chaney as part of an unanswered 13-0 run that swelled to a 23-4 push, the Saints took their only lead of the game, 47-46, on an Andriana Acosta jumper with 8:07 to play. During the run, five different USF players scored with four drilling three-pointers, including Justene Charlesworth with a pair.

But as hot as the Saints were during that stretch, the closing eight minutes were a completely different story. During that period of time, Clarke produced 20 of the final 26 points with USF going 2-of-11 from the field and 2-of-6 at the foul line, while turning the ball over five times.

Clarke itself only converted 4-of-14 baskets in the closing quarter, but the Pride did make good on 14-of-18 free throw attempts in the final stanza to seal the decision.

For the game, USF never shot better than 36 percent in any one quarter and finished at 31.5 percent (17-of-54), while Clarke converted at a 41.7 percent clip (20-of-48).

Acosta and Sias-Chaney were the only Saints to score in double figures, finishing with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Acosta also had a team-high seven rebounds, while Sias-Chaney was tops in assists with four.

Emma Kelchen authored a double-double for Clarke, totaling 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and one block.

Up Next
The Saints return to Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action when they head to Chicago on Tuesday to face Roosevelt University for a 5:30 pm tip off.

Live coverage can be found at gofightingsaints.com/coverage. You can also keep up with all things USF on Twitter @USFSaints.