CHICAGO --- The University of St. Francis men's basketball team forced NAIA No. 20-ranked Roosevelt University to a season-low 35 percent shooting mark from the field and held the hosts nearly 20 points below their season scoring average, but the Lakers were still able to keep their perfect Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference record intact with a 62-55 victory at the Goodman Center on Sunday afternoon.

Roosevelt (14-2, 8-0 CCAC) came into the contest averaging 81.4 points per game, but was limited to its second-lowest point total of the campaign in the matinee special.  The Fighting Saints, however, could not take advantage on the offensive end, where they were held to a .310 report (18-of-58), including a 6-of-29 effort (.207) in the opening half when they fell behind 27-18.

In the second half, USF (4-9, 3-5) doubled that count to hit 12 of its 29 shots for a .414 mark, which led to head coach Ryan Marks' club outscoring the hosts 37-35 after the break.

Roosevelt used a late 9-0 run to open up its biggest advantage of the opening half at 27-15.  That would eventually get as high as 31-18 in the initial minute of the second half. 

The Saints started to chip away from there, getting as close as 42-37 on a Nick Niego four-point play with 8:13 remaining in the contest.  Roosevelt responded with the next five points to increase the lead back to double figures at 47-37 and held no less than a five-point edge the rest of the afternoon.

EJ Charles was the only Saint to score in double figures.  He led all scorers in the contest with 19 points, 17 of which came in the second half.

Roosevelt had two players score at least ten points, topped by Forte Prater's 17.  Cody Mitchell (9 points, 10 rebounds) came up one point short of recording a double-double.  

Notes: Six of USF's 13 games have now been decided by single digits … Charles tied his season high with the 19 points.  He also converted ten free throws for the second time this season … Shir Moraidi made his St. Francis debut, coming off the bench to total eight points and five rebounds … The Saints head back up to Chicago on Wednesday night when they match up against Saint Xavier University in another CCAC affair.

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