JOLIET, Ill. -- The University of St. Francis men's basketball team had four players score in double figures to lead the Fighting Saints to a 71-59 victory over Trinity Christian College Wednesday night at the Sullivan Center.  The win in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup bumped the Saints' record up to 16-2 on the season and 9-1 in league play, while Trinity Christian fell to 6-13, 3-7.

Aitor Anabitarte and Merrick Small led all Saint players with 14 points apiece.  Anabitarte finished the game shooting 5-of-7 from the floor as well as cashing in on three of his four free throw opportunities, while Small was 7-of-11 from the floor with a game-high eight rebounds.  Joffrey Nunnally provided 13 points and shot 3-for-6 from three-point range, while Nick Niego also sank three treys as part of his 11 points.  Along with Small, Rahmel Davis was a force on the boards, finishing the game with seven rebounds.

Among others receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, the Saints were able to pull away from Trinity Christian early in the first half as they jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the game's first three minutes.  The Trolls were able to fight back to pull within five points (26-21) with three minutes remaining, but four straight three-pointers fueled a 12-2 USF scoring run to give the Saints a 15-point advantage (38-23) at the break. 

Head coach Ryan Marks' team maintained a healthy double-digit lead during the first 10 minutes of the second half, shooting 58.3 percent from the field (7-of-12), but a cold spell of six missed shots and two turnovers over a four-minute span allowed the Trolls to get within six points (56-50) with 6:57 left on the clock.  USF responded confidently with a 14-4 run down the stretch, capped off by a Davis dunk, to extend its lead back to 15 points before closing out the game with the 71-59 final score.

Chris Cross led all scorers with 35 points and four three-point conversions for the Trolls, who shot 40.4 percent from the field (21-of-52).  USF connected on 26-of-55 chances (47.3 pct.) and out-rebounded the Trolls 37-24.

Up Next
The Saints, winners of nine straight games, will take the court again on Saturday (Jan. 25) when they face CCAC foe Indiana University Northwest in a 3 pm contest at the Pat Sullivan Center.

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