GARY, Ind. --- A season low shooting mark from the field resulted in the first Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference loss of the season for the University of St. Francis women's basketball team as the Saints dropped a 57-53 decision to Indiana University Northwest at the Savannah Center on Wednesday night.

Despite opening up a 12-4 advantage at the start, USF (8-3, 5-1 CCAC) could never find its shot from the beginning, starting with its 4-of-15 first-quarter reading. For the game, the Saints would finish with just 18 field goals in 67 attempts (.269) and be just as cold from three-point range (7-of-31, .226).

Indiana Northwest (6-3, 4-1) started off just as cold with only three field goals in 12 attempts, but turned things completely around over the final three quarters where the Redhawks made 15 of their final 26 shots (.577). That would allow them to finish at .474 (18-of-38) for the contest.

The Saints also were out rebounded 44-28.

Despite those woes, USF stayed in the contest by forcing 25 turnovers, which led to a 23-11 advantage in points off turnovers. At the half, it was a 24-all game. 

The difference, however, in the end, was the start of the third quarter. Usually a quick starter out of the intermission, the Saints were outscored 10-0 and never recovered. With the exception of getting down by three and two points in the waning seconds of the contest, head coach John McGinty's club could never break the four-point barrier.

Andriana Acosta was the only Saint to score in double figures, totaling 15 points. She also registered a team-high seven rebounds.

Indiana Northwest countered with three-double-figure scorers and a pair of double-figure rebounders. Michaela Schmidt boasted a double-double with her game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds. Karli Miller was one back in the scoring column with 16 markers, while Tiara Jackson totaled eight points and 11 boards.

Up Next
The Saints return to the Sullivan Center on Saturday at 1 pm to face Lincoln College.

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