ELGIN, Ill. -- Four of five University of St. Francis men's basketball starters scored in double figures, including Aitor Anabitarte, who authored his 20th collegiate double-double, to produce an 86-75 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory over Judson University on Saturday afternoon.  

Anabitarte would net 17 of his team-high 24 points in the final 20 minutes of the contest, while also recording two of the team's three blocked shots on the afternoon.  He posted a game-high 11 rebounds, as well, leading to the Saints' 27-21 advantage in that department.

Joining Anabitarte in the double-figure club were Rahmel Davis (16 markers), Delshawn Simms (13) and Joffrey Nunnally (11).

USF did not have to do much rebounding in the second half, however, as the Saints (21-4, 15-3 CCAC) used a 63.6 percent shooting effort (14-of-22), including seven three-pointers in eight attempts, to outscore the Eagles 51-37 and pull away for the 11-point win.  The guests would finish the game at 60 percent (27-of-45) for their fifth-best shooting mark of the campaign.  They also had another big day at the foul line with 22 makes in 24 attempts resulting in a 91.7 shooting percentage.

After Judson's initial 10-1 burst to open the game, St. Francis cut the deficit to 25-24 with 6:34 remaining in the opening half before taking the lead on a Nick Niego three-pointer one minute later.  Judson (5-21, 2-16) was quick to respond, getting the lead back in its favor and to as high as four points before settling for a three-point advantage (38-35) at the break.

After missing their first four shots to start the second half, the Saints would connect on 12 of their final 17 attempts, including a stretch of six in a row that turned a three-point deficit into an eight-point advantage (71-63) with 3:06 remaining in the contest.  USF would also hit all 13 of its free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Simms, Nunnally and Niego each sank three treys on the day, while Ben Kreitz added one more to USF's 55.6 percent showing (10-of-18) from beyond the arc.  Simms finished being perfect for the game, going 3-for-3 from the floor, while successfully making all four of his free throw attempts.

Kaevon Anderson had a big game for Judson, finishing with a game-high 27 points.  He was one of two Eagles to hit for double figures.

Up Next
The Saints play their final regular-season home game on Wednesday (Feb. 19) when they host Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) in a conference affair beginning at 7 pm.

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