JOLIET, Ill. -- The cards did not fall in the University of St. Francis men's basketball team's favor Thursday night as the Fighting Saints came up one point short in a 77-76 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference setback to Governors State University.  Despite the loss, the Saints still retain their first-place slot in the league standings with a 14-3 record, while the defeat drops their overall mark to 20-4.

Governors State's 20-9 gain on points off turnovers was a key stat for the Jaguars (11-14, 7-10) in the one-point victory as each team posted near identical numbers otherwise.  Both teams converted five of their treys, with GSU sinking 27 of its 57 total shots to USF's 26-of-50 showing.  St. Francis countered with a 19-18 edge on free throws, including making 14 of its 16 attempts in the second half, to finish at 82.6 percent overall (19-of-23).  Governors State was 18-of-22.

The Saints led by four points in each half, including moving up to that margin on a Delshawn Simms three-pointer 30 seconds into the second half.  But four straight turnovers over the next 90 seconds from USF on its next four possessions resulted in a destructive eight-point swing in the Jaguars' favor. 

The majority of the second half saw Governors State maintain that lead, stretching its margin as high as seven points at the 13:41 mark.  St. Francis, however, used the next eight minutes to battle back to retake the lead 65-64, utilizing six different players to successfully capitalize on 10 of its next 13 possessions.

USF would preserve a two-point margin until a big three-pointer from GSU's Rashad Smith put the Jaguars up 71-70 with 2:35 remaining in the contest.  The game would see six lead changes over the last two minutes with Governors State taking its last lead (77-76) on two successful free throws with five seconds remaining.  The Saints had one last chance for one final lead change, but their last attempt - a missed jumper from the right side - at the buzzer came up empty, leaving St. Francis one point short in the end.

USF's Aitor Anabitarte finished with a game-high 26 points to go along with five rebounds.  Merrick Small added 14 markers, while grabbing a team-high eight boards.

Governors State countered with five players in double figures in the scoring column, including Smith, who came off the bench to score 17 points with a game-high three treys.  Isaiah Tolbert led the way with 18 points and five assists.

Up Next
The Saints are back in action this weekend when they travel to Elgin, Ill. to face Judson University on Saturday.  Tip-off is slated for 3 pm.

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