XENIA, Ohio -- Consistent shooting and a strong game from beyond the arc bolstered the University of St. Francis men's basketball team's eighth victory of the season with an 81-67 decision over Milligan University in day two of the Athletes in Action NAIA Christmas Tournament on Wednesday.  Four Saints produced at least ten points in helping the Fighting Saints register a combined 57.4 percent shooting mark from the field (31-of-54) and a 58.8 percentage from behind the arc (10-of-17).  With the win, St. Francis improves to 8-2 overall.

Topping the list was Joffrey Nunnally, who was near-perfect from the field (9-for-12) as well as from the charity stripe (4-for-6) for a combined 22 points.  Brady Cooper matched his point total from yesterday's game with his 17 markers courtesy of a 6-for-8 performance from the floor, while Delshawn Simms sank three treys on his way to adding 11 points to the USF total.  Damarcies Moore rounded out the USF scoring leaders with his offensive contribution of 13 points to go along with his game-high 13 rebounds.

After leading by just an eight-point margin after the first half (43-35), USF used a 53.8 percent shooting effort (14-of-26) in the second half, including five three-pointers, to outscore the Titans 38-32 after the break and pull away for the 14-point win.

The first five minutes of the second half saw each team trade baskets until a 23-8 scoring burst beginning with a Nunnally three-pointer and capped by a putback layup from Cooper resulted in a 17-point USF advantage (76-59) with five minutes left to play.  The Saints would ride that wave of momentum to the finish, maintaining a double-digit lead the remainder of the afternoon to solidify the 81-67 final score.

Along with his game-high 13 rebounds, Moore also accounted for a season-high three steals.

Jake Benham led Milligan with 16 points, while Elijah Bredwood registered a game-high five assists.  With their loss, the Buffalos dropped to 3-10 overall on the year.

Following the completion of the game, Cooper was named to the five-member All-Tournament Team.  The junior forward tallied a two-day total of 34 points, which included a 10-of-18 performance from the floor followed by a 14-of-18 showing at the charity stripe.  He also pulled down a total of eight rebounds to go along with six assists.

Up Next
USF hits the court again on Tuesday, Dec. 30 with a 1 pm tip-off against Concordia (Neb.).  The game is part of a two-day tournament hosted by the Saints.

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