ADRIAN, Mich. --- A string of 19 unanswered points and limiting Indiana University East to just two points in the third quarter carried the NAIA No. 19-ranked University of St. Francis women's basketball team to a 61-52 victory on Thursday night in opening-round action of the Siena Heights University (Mich.) Holiday Tournament.

After opening the game by scoring the first nine points, the Fighting Saints (12-2) found  themselves facing a 30-24 deficit with just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter.  A pair of layups from Jordan Pyle and a trey from Justene Charlesworth down the stretch turned that deficit into a slight 31-30 edge at the break.

That would eventually carry over to the third quarter, where the Saints put up the first 12 points of the quarter.  Indiana East (4-12) finally broke the ice with just 72 seconds remaining in the period, but by that time the Saints were on top 43-32.  Pyle and Charlesworth fueled the overall run with six points each.

USF's lead would get as high as 14 points early in the fourth quarter, but Indiana East would not go away.  The Red Wolves would get the deficit down to four points, 53-49, with just over two minutes remaining in the contest before the Saints wrapped things up with eight of the final 11 points. 

Indiana East was held to 27.7 percent shooting for the game (18-of-65) with the third quarter netting just one basket in 19 attempts and a 0-for-8 mark from long range.  USF struggled from the field, as well, converting at just a .358 clip with 24 baskets in 67 attempts.

Pyle came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points.  She also provided a pair of blocks.  Charlesworth added another 17 points, while accounting for five of USF's eight three-pointers.

Other contributors included Alina Jahnke and Hannah Swiatek, both of whom produced season-high efforts.  Jahnke's came on her 14 rebounds, while Swiatek dished out a career-best 10 assists.  Le'lani Harris also came off the bench to post eight points and had a pair of three-pointers.

Indiana East was led by Kennedy Griffin's 18 points.

Notes: Winners of five straight games, the Saints need a victory on Friday to wrap up a perfect 6-0 December … Pyle's 23 field goal attempts were a season high for any Saint this year as were Charlesworth's 13 trey attempts … The Saints are right back at it on Friday when they meet up with tournament host Siena Heights at 5 pm Central time.

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