JOLIET, Ill. -- Rahmel Davis scored a game-high 16 points and Aitor Anabitarte recorded his fourth straight double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds) as the University of St. Francis men's basketball team made it six wins in a row with its 58-53 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory over Viterbo University (Wis.) on Saturday afternoon at the Sullivan Center.

Both teams struggled to find their offensive games in the season's lowest scoring affair, one that featured six ties and 18 lead changes, including 10 of the latter in the second half alone.  Neither team led by more than five points – which occurred on just five occasions in the contest – including the game's final score of 58-53.

The Saints would record a season-high 19 turnovers on the afternoon, leading Viterbo (3-12, 1-7 CCAC) to score 29 total points off turnovers and second-chance opportunities compared to St. Francis' 12.  Head coach Ryan Marks' club did, however, finish the day converting at a .459 clip from the floor (17-of-37) compared to Viterbo's .333 mark (19-of-57). 

In the end, the Saints (13-2, 7-1) came through when it mattered most with no rebound being bigger than Anabitarte's offensive grab to preserve a vital possession with 22 seconds remaining in the game and the Saints leading 56-53.  Delshawn Simms was eventually fouled five seconds later and converted the back-end of a two-shot foul.  After a Viterbo three-point miss, Davis accounted for the final point with another free throw with seven seconds remaining.

Simms sank a game-high three treys in the contest to go along with one free throw in recording 10 points on the day.  Merrick Small and Joffrey Nunnally each added five markers to the USF scoring column. 

As a team, USF dominated the boards, collecting 39 to the V-Hawks' 21.

Colin Adams led Vitero with 16 points, with Cole Crubel netting 15.

Up Next
St. Francis has the next three days off before hosting Saint Xavier University in a CCAC matchup on Wednesday (Jan. 15) at 7 pm.     

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on @USFSaints.