JOLIET, Ill. --- The University of St. Francis men's basketball team battled NAIA No. 11-ranked Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) to a one-point game at the break, but the visiting Lions doubled up on the Fighting Saints in the second half, leaving USF with a 77-50 setback to close out both 2023 and its own New Year's Classic at the Pat Sullivan Center on Sunday afternoon.

Freed-Hardeman (12-2) converted at a 76 percent clip from the field (19-of-25) in the closing half to outscore the Saints 52-26 after being held to just 25 points through the first 20 minutes of the contest.  USF, meanwhile, after shooting 42.1 percent from the field in the first half, could connect on just five of its 24 attempts (20.8 pct.) after the break to finish at 30.2 percent (13-of-43) for the day.

Freed-Hardeman ended the game just under 60 percent at 59.2 with its 29-of-49 effort.  The Lions were also 15-of-17 from the foul line (88.2 pct.).

Trailing 21-12 after the first 16 minutes of the contest, the Saints (2-7) went on a 12-4 run to close the half and cut the deficit to 25-24.  A pair of three-pointers and seven points overall from Dakoda Joachim fueled the burst.  Te Jones also had a trey in the run.

A 16-0 run in the second half by Freed-Hardeman eventually did USF in.  Behind 36-32 with just under 16 minutes remaining in the contest, the Saints failed to score over the next five minutes to put the deficit at 52-32.  St. Francis would never get closer than 17 points the rest of the afternoon.

EJ Charles topped USF's scoring chart with 16 points with 10 of those markers coming in 13 attempts at the free-throw line.  Those numbers were both team season-high marks.  No other Saint had more than eight points.

Freed-Hardeman was led by Quan Lax's 20 points and another 16 from JJ Wheat.

Notes: Charles tied a career high with his four blocked shots in the contest.  He also scored in double figures for the fourth straight game … Nadav Gerner dished out four assists for the third straight game … USF's 20 made free throws and 25 attempts were both season-high marks … The Saints shot 20 percent from three-point range (4-for-20) for the second straight game … USF's 50 points and 30.2 percent field goal numbers were both season-low efforts, while its 21 turnovers were a season-high mark … Sunday's game concluded non-conference action for the season.  The Saints return to Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday when they host Olivet Nazarene University at 7 pm.        

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