BOURBONNAIS, Ill. --- Looking to repeat its feat of claiming the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament crown as the No.8 seed like it did three years ago, the same fun run never materialized for the 2021-22 University of St. Francis squad as top-seeded and NAIA No.11 ranked Olivet Nazarene University put an abrupt end to the Saints' postseason with its 79-66 first-round victory Wednesday night.

Olivet Nazarene (28-3) shot out of the gates and never allowed USF (14-14) to get back into the contest. The Tigers opened up a 12-2 lead in the first five minutes before extending the advantage to 39-21 at the break. A 60 percent shooting mark from the field (15-of-25) for the hosts opposite the Saints' 28.6 reading (10-of-35), including just one three pointer in 12 attempts, created for the 18 point halftime deficit.

The difference grew to as many as 24 points in the second half before St. Francis made things somewhat interesting when it cut the deficit down to 12 points, 70-58, with 4:24 remaining. But despite the Saints faring much better both from the field (51.4 pct., 18-0f-35) and beyond the three point arc (.500, 8-of-16) after halftime, Olivet Nazarene never cooled off, hitting 17 of its 23 second half field goal attempts (.739). For the game, the Tigers finished at .667 compared to USF's .400 mark. 

Carter Fayhee led the Saints with 17 points off the bench, while Lewis Holey hit for 16 to reach the 1,000 point mark for his career. Darius Wright was the other St. Francis player to score in double figures. He finished with 11 points.

Alex Gross led the way for Olivet Nazarene with his third triple double of the season. He totaled 21 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, and four blocks. Taylor Schmidt could not miss on the night, going 9 for 10 from the field for 19 points.

The Saints close out their season at 14-14, while Olivet Nazarene advances to the CCAC Tournament semifinal round riding a 16 game winning streak and a 28-3 mark.