NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Behind a game-high 24 points from Aitor Anabitarte and 10 players in all reaching the scoring column, the No. 25-ranked University of St. Francis men's basketball team registered a convincing 76-56 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference victory over Holy Cross College (Ind.) on Wednesday night.

St. Francis (19-3, 13-2 CCAC) doubled up on Holy Cross from beyond the arc, converting eight three-pointers to HCC's four, while shooting 61.7 percent overall (29-of-47) to Holy Cross' 32.3 percent mark (20-of-62).  Each team recorded 35 rebounds with the hosts besting the guests in grabbing 12 offensive boards to USF's one.

Head coach Ryan Marks' club jumped out to an early 10-point lead in the first seven minutes of the contest, but a 7-0 run from Holy Cross cut the deficit to three (17-14) by the 10-minute mark.  That would be as close as the hosts would get as USF quickly extended its lead back to a 15-point margin by the intermission.  After beginning the second half with a quick 9-0 run and pushing its lead to a 24-point margin (49-25), St. Francis held a 20-plus point lead to the game's completion.  That included ballooning to as high as 28 points after a Ben Faatz three-pointer at the 12:20 mark.

Anabitarte totaled eight rebounds and one blocked shot to go along with his 24 points.  Rahmel Davis and Joffrey Nunnally each registered 13 markers, while Faatz just missed scoring in double figures with his nine points.  Delshawn Simms produced a game-high three assists.

Joey Garwood led Holy Cross (8-14, 5-10) with 18 points, while Nash Hostetler contributed 15.  David Brembilla led all players with 10 rebounds.

Up Next
USF will travel to La Crosse, Wis. on Saturday February 8 to face Viterbo University for a 3 pm CCAC matchup.