WINONA LAKE, Ind. -- After earning wins in its previous three playoff games, the University of St. Francis men's basketball team's fun run in the postseason came to an end on Friday night when the Fighting Saints fell in overtime to NAIA No. 20-ranked University of Pikeville (Ky.) 86-84 in the semifinal game of the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round Winona Lake Bracket.

USF, as the No. 3 seed in the bracket and No. 10 of 16 in the Cramer Quadrant, was seeking to upset Pikeville as part of its journey to the NAIA National Tournament Final Site.  The Bears (25-6) came in as the No. 2 seed in the bracket and No. 7 in the quadrant.

Winners of eight of its last 10 games overall, the Saints were looking to use the same game plan that won them the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles to offset Pikeville's national tournament plans.  An unyielding Bear offense, however, ruined that agenda as Pikeville shooters connected on 34 of their 58 attempts, highlighted by 11 long-range shots, in posting the team's highest shooting percentage (58.6 pct.) of the season.  That resulted in a 79-71 point-advantage on field goals against the Saints, who connected on 31 of their 71 attempts (43.7 pct.) with nine three pointers.  USF was perfect on the night from the charity stripe, however, going 13-for-13 compared to the Bears' 7-of-13 showing.

There was also Cade Looney, the Pikeville graduate senior forward, who nailed both of his attempted three-pointers and shot 12-of-14 overall from the field en route to a game-high 26 points.  He was one of four Bears to score in double figures on the night.

USF, nonetheless, hung with Pikeville during the first half, trailing just 46-40 at the intermission.

After tying the score at 62-all midway through the second half, the Saints took their largest lead of the night at 67-62 after back-to-back baskets by Nick Niego (three-pointer) and Don Joachim (layup).  The latter would be St. Francis' last score before a three-minute dry spell, allowing Pikeville to knot the game at 67-67 with 6:12 remaining.

Strong defensive pressure would benefit both teams the remainder of regulation as just 11 points from each side would be allowed, netting the score at 78-78 heading into the overtime period.  USF did have an opportunity to win the game in regulation after an offensive foul by Pikeville gave the Saints the ball with seven seconds on the clock.  USF was unable to convert, however, with the Bears blocking a Rahmel Davis try at the buzzer.

In overtime, the game looked to teeter in Pikeville's favor as the Bears connected on their first two layups within the first minute of play.  USF gained its first four points from Davis after two free throws and a layup tied the score again at 82.  But after giving up two subsequent layups, St. Francis would finish the remaining three minutes sinking only one of its last six attempts from the field.  An offensive foul by Pikeville with eight seconds left once again gave the Saints the ball and an opportunity to win, but the cards would not fall in USF's favor, finalizing the score at 86-84.

Five Saints in total scored in double figures, led by Niego's career-high 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.  Davis was next in line with 16 points, followed by 14 from Aitor Anabitarte.  Joachim netted 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, while Delshawn Simms rounded out the double-digit scorers with his 10 markers.

Anabitarte also closed out his run as a Saint with his 23rd career double-double and team-high 13th of the season by pulling down a game-high 12 boards.  Davis provided another seven caroms.

Simms and Ben Faatz each led the team in both assists (three) and steals (two).

The Saints closed out the season at 25-6 overall with advancement to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

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