DAVENPORT, Iowa – Aitor Anabitarte scored a team-high 17 points and Merrick Small added another 12 markers as the University of St. Francis men's basketball team made it eight wins in a row with its 58-55 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory over St. Ambrose University (Iowa) on Saturday afternoon.  With the win, the Saints improve to 15-2 overall, and 9-1 in league play.

Anabitarte also provided a game-high effort on the boards with 10 rebounds, leading to his eighth double-double of the season.  Eight of 10 St. Francis players that saw action secured at least one rebound with USF gaining a 15-2 advantage on second-chance points courtesy of its nine offensive boards.

Small finished the game converting on four of his five shot attempts and 4-of-4 free throws, while also pulling down four boards.  Ben Faatz was also a big key to the rebounding numbers with his six boards.

Will Spriggs was the lone St. Ambrose player to score in double figures.  He totaled 20 points.

The game was tight throughout with 12 lead changes and another 14 ties.  Neither team led by more than five points in the opening half with both teams putting up even exchanges in the opening 20 minutes resulting in a 30-30 half time score.

The Fighting Bees (12-5, 5-5 CCAC) held a 42-38 lead midway through the second half before Saints connected on four straight free throws to even the score at 42-all.  The game would see four more tied scores when an Anabitarte layup off an offensive rebound provided USF two crucial points, pushing its advantage to 56-54 with 25 seconds to play.  After exchanging fouls in the game's final seconds, the Saints would hang on for the 58-55 win.

St. Ambrose (23-of-51, 45.1 pct.) outshot the Saints (19-of-50, 38.0 pct.) 27-of-64 from the field, but the Saints held the advantage in free throws, scoring 15 points compared to the Bees' six.

Up Next
The Saints will face off against Trinity Christian College on Wednesday, January 22.  The contest tips off at 7 pm in the Sullivan Center.

You can also keep up with all things USF on X @USFSaints.