LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The University of St. Francis men's basketball team saw a 16-point second-half lead shrink to within one point before holding on to claim a 75-72 win over Bellevue University (Neb.) on Friday evening on Day One of the Viterbo University Classic.  Free throws proved to be a key factor in the outcome with the Saints burying 23-of-26 chances (88.5 percent) from the charity stripe, while the Bruins only connected on 18-of-27 opportunities (66.7 percent).  The win marks the Fighting Saints' first of the young 2024-25 season, improving their overall record to 1-1.

With USF holding a three-point lead (35-32) after the first half, the Bruins would go ahead 40-38 to take their largest lead of the evening three minutes into the second frame.  St. Francis defenders would hold Bellevue to just two points over the next nine minutes, while slowly widening the scoring gap to 58-42.  The Bruins countered with a 9-2 spurt to pull to within single digits at 60-51 with 6:34 remaining in the contest.  Another 5-0 Bruin run followed to make it a six-point contest at 65-59 at the 3:54 mark before a Merrick Small layup slowed the Bellevue momentum with three minutes remaining in the contest.  Cold shooting from the Saints on their next three possessions allowed the Bruins to make another five-point scoring run to cut their deficit to three points at 67-64 with 1:49 remaining.  A bucket by Nick Niego made it a five-point contest, but a late foul and careless turnover allowed Bellevue to pull within two points (71-69) after a successful jumper in the paint with nine seconds to go.  After Sean Richardson drained two free throws to make it a four-point game, BU's Willie Williams' 3-point play made it 73-72 with five seconds left.  Richardson came through again, nailing two more free shots in the subsequent seconds to hold on and seal the 75-72 victory.

Small led the way for USF with a team-high 17 points, shooting 7-for-9 from the field in 20 total minutes of action.  Forward Aitor Anabitarte provided 16 points and pulled down a team-high nine boards.  Small and Anabitarte's contributions from the free throw line allowed the Saints to register 11 total points with each being perfect from the stripe.  Niego also chipped in 10 points to the Saints' total with the help of two three-pointers.  For the game, St. Francis shot 46.2 percent from the field and 30.8 from behind the arc.

Williams poured in a team-high 17 points for Bellevue, which fell to 2-2 on the season.  The Bruins committed 19 turnovers compared to USF's 11, but shot 53.2 percent from the field.  The Saints' defense held BU to only four three-pointers as Bellevue finished the game shooting 4-for-10 from long distance.

Up Next
St. Francis closes out play in the Viterbo University Classic Saturday (Nov. 16) against Valley City State University (N.D.).  Tip-off is scheduled for 11 am.

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