JOLIET, Ill. --- The University of St. Francis women's basketball team saved its best for last Tuesday night, using a 30 point fourth quarter to finally put away a gritty Holy Cross College 71-55 in opening round play of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament at the Sullivan Center.

The Saints, who trailed 20-16 after the first quarter and 48-43 with just under nine minutes to play, closed things out with a 28-7 run to advance to Thursday night's semifinal-round matchup against Indiana University South Bend at home.

Entering the final stanza, head coach John McGinty's club struggled to find its touch, converting at just a .318 clip from the field (14-of-44), including a .250 mark from three-point range (6-of-24). Then came the fourth quarter and the Saints caught fire to the tune of nine field goals in 14 attempts (.643), four treys in five tries (.800), and eight free throws in nine attempts (.889).

At the same time that USF was connecting, Holy Cross was not. The guests made just 4 of 20 shots (.200) in the closing quarter with only two treys in nine attempts (.222) and three free throws in six attempts (.500).

The end result was the Saints' 11th straight victory as well as maintaining their perfect record of 13-0 at the Sullivan Center.

Hannah Swiatek was one Saint that stepped up on the big stage. Making just her second collegiate start, the junior guard registered a career night with her 23 points and six three pointers. The team high point total came on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 accuracy from beyond the arc.

Andriana Acosta, meanwhile, celebrated 2/22/22 with her third straight double double and 12th of the season with her 22 points and 16 rebounds. Justene Charlesworth also posted a career best 10 rebounds to help the Saints to a 45-36 advantage on the boards.

Braxtin Mickens added 15 points and five assists.

Holy Cross' Jayda Miller led all scorers with 24 points in a game that featured 14 lead changes and three ties, including 29 all at the break.

Up Next
The Saints host Indiana South Bend on Thursday night at the Sullivan Center with the winner advancing to Saturday's CCAC Tournament final. Tip off is 7 pm Thursday.

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