JOLIET, Ill. --- Despite recording its second-best shooting effort of the season, one dry spell early in the second half did the University of St. Francis men's basketball team in on Saturday afternoon in a 92-83 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference setback to Judson University at the Sullivan Center.

The Saints (10-9, 6-8 CCAC) trailed 53-49 two minutes into the second half before Judson caught fire, converting seven of its next eight field goal attempts, including two treys, to open up a 69-51 lead. During the nearly six minute span of the 16-2 run, the Saints could only connect one time in six attempts (0-for-4 from three), missed a pair of free throws, and recorded four of their eight turnovers on the day.

Minus the brief cold spell, the Saints were 32-for-56 from the field (57.1 pct.) and 9-of-19 from three-point range (47.4 pct.). They finished at 53.2 percent overall (33-of-62) and 39.1 percent from long distance (9-of-23). At the free throw line, they were an uncharacteristic 8-of-13 (61.5 pct.).

Judson (10-11, 7-6) rang up a 55.4 percent shooting effort from the field (36-of-65), was 9-of-19 from three point range (47.4 pct.) and made all but one of its 12 free throws.
Both teams came out red hot in a first half that saw each squad hover around the 60 percent shooting mark. Neither team held more than a six point lead in an opening half that featured seven lead changes and a pair of ties.

Judson eventually took a 51-45 lead into the break, aided by a 20-7 rebounding advantage, including 11 on the offensive end. That resulted in a 15-2 advantage on second chance points.

For the game, the Eagles doubled up on USF on the boards, 41-20, including 17 offensive, and outscored the Saints 19-4 in second opportunities.      

Following the 16-2 burst in the second half, the Saints could never get the deficit back to single digits with the exception of Joey Buggemi's three pointer to end the contest.  Buggemi finished with a team high 19 points. 

Darius Wright followed with 14 points, with EJ Charles and Lewis Holey each totaling 11 markers. Charles also had three blocked shots.    

Russell Tillery provided seven of the team's 19 assists, while Carter Fayhee came off the bench to net a team high six rebounds and nine points.

Judson was led by Johnny Flynn's 24 points, including four three pointers. Lorenzo Anderson provided 16 points off the bench, while Thomas Donati matched his 12 points with a game high of 12 rebounds.

Up Next
The Saints continue a string of six games in 11 days when they host Governors State University on Monday night inside the Sullivan Center. Game time for the makeup game of the Jan. 12 postponement is set for 7 pm.

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