SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- After putting together a 16-game unbeaten streak - the best start for the Saints since the 2016-17 campaign - the University of St. Francis women's basketball team could not overcome a substandard first quarter that later resulted in a seven-point Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference loss to Indiana University South Bend.  The Fighting Saints struggled early and trailed by 12 at the break before losing to the Titans 69-62 on Saturday.

The Saints outscored the opposition in the second half, but a hot shooting start by Indiana University South Bend resulted in the Titans hitting five of their first eight shots of the game, including three treys, to open up a 14-6 advantage at the 4:37 mark in the first quarter.  The Titans would extend that lead as high as 27-13 in the closing four minutes of the second period before settling for a 12-point deficit (34-22) at the half time break.

The scoring margin would sway between seven and 13 points in the Titans' favor for a large majority of the third frame before the Saints began to close the gap with a trio of three-pointers all occurring within the last two minutes of the third quarter.  That 9-0 spurt would bring the Saints to within two points (46-44), a margin which they would later match with nine minutes remaining in the final period (48-46).

Indiana South Bend, however, would end the game how they started and connect for seven of their 13 fourth quarter shots (53.9 pct.) - including five of their first eight attempts - compared to the Saints' 29.4 pct. showing (5-of-17), 12 of which were three-point attempts.

IUSB gained a 34-22 scoring edge over the Saints in the first half by shooting 40 percent from the field (14-of-35) in large part due to its dominance on the offensive glass that resulted in a 13-4 point swing in second chance opportunities.  USF (16-1, 8-1) converted at just a 31 percent clip (9-of-29) with two treys in 13 attempts.

Mia Kennelly (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals) and Symone Harrell (11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal) led the way for the Saints both offensively and defensively with the two players combining for 22 points, 14 rebounds and four of the Saints' six total steals.

Four Titans scored in double figures for Indiana South Bend, led by Aubrie Booker's 17 markers.  Bradie Chambers and Tenleigh Phelps each recorded 15 points apiece, while Keylee Hudson added 14 more to the Titans' total.

Up Next
The Saints, who are currently ranked No. 16 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, continue conference play on Wednesday when they host St. Ambrose University (Iowa) at 5 pm in the Pat Sullivan Center.       

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