NOTRE DAME, Ind. --- The return of its vintage defense and career nights from Andriana Acosta (SR/Crest Hill, Ill.) and Jordan Pyle (JR/Traralgon, Australia) enabled the University of St. Francis women's basketball team to get back on track, snapping a two-game losing streak with a 70-41 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) victory over Holy Cross College on Wednesday night.
 

The NAIA No.20 ranked Saints (18-4, 6-2 CCAC) were all business from the opening tip. USF accounted for 11 of the first 13 points of the contest and never led by less than double digits over the game's final 31 minutes.
 

Acosta had a lot to do with the opening burst scoring 15 of the team's 20 first-quarter markers en route to a career-best 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. She also recorded her seventh double-double of the season.
 

Pyle also got in on the career-best festivities with her 23 points to go along with eight rebounds. Combined, the pair accounted for 49 of the team's 70 points and 20 of USF's 42 rebounds.
 

Defensively, the Saints held Holy Cross (7-9, 3-4) to 27.3 percent shooting from the field (15 of 55), while allowing just one three-point field goal in 12 attempts (8.3 pct.). USF also forced 23 turnovers, while only committing ten miscues itself.
 

Jayda Miller led Holy Cross with 12 points.
 

The Saints remain on the road Saturday (Feb. 13) when they travel to Deerfield, Ill. to face Trinity International University. Tipoff is set for 1 pm.