JOLIET, Ill. -- A pair of double-digit scoring outbursts over separate five-minutes stretches midway through each half propelled Concordia University (Neb.) to an 89-81 victory over the University of St. Francis men's basketball team on Tuesday afternoon.  The 14-2 and 16-6 scoring runs from the Bulldogs directly produced 14 points off six USF turnovers as part of a 22-point swing which aided the guests in their eight-point victory.

With the loss, the Fighting Saints fall to 8-3 on the season, while the Bulldogs improve to 10-4.

From the field, USF hit 54.1 percent of its shots (33-of-61), while Concordia knocked down one less field goal on eight fewer attempts (32-of-53) for a 60.4 percent reading.  Parity continued to be apparent amongst both squads with each team hitting 10 treys each from beyond the arc, recording 42 points apiece in the paint and pulling down 25 rebounds each.  While the Saints won the second chance scoring battle, 10-4, both teams managed to coax similar numbers in turnovers and steals, but the biggest difference in the game was found within the success rate at the free-throw line and in the points-off-turnovers scoring margins.  From the stripe, Concordia posted an 83.3 percent mark (15-of-18), while the Saints hit just 5-of-7 free throws for a 71.4 percent reading.  In the latter category, Concordia bested the visitors 25-11, which, when combined and offset by USF's six-point advantage in second chance points, resulted in 18 points that helped the Bulldogs claim the 89-81 win.

Joffrey Nunnally secured game-high scoring honors for USF with his 21 points coming via an 8-of-16 performance from the floor, while Damarcies Moore went 6-of-11 for 16 points.  Coleton Hansen knocked down 15 points after displaying a perfect 3-for-3 performance from three-point range while authoring a 6-for-7 showing from the floor.  Moore (seven rebounds) and Hansen (six) combined to pull down 13 boards for USF.

Concordia was led by Brooks Kissinger's team-high 18 points, with Dane Jacobsen contributing another 17 markers.

Up Next
The Saints will take the court again Wednesday morning when they face-off against Vermont State University Randolph in Day 2 of the USF New Years Classic.

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