JOLIET, Ill. -- Le'lani Harris sank 23 points and the University of St. Francis women's basketball team used a big 24-9 second quarter to gain a 74-45 Chicagoland Collegiate athletic Conference victory over St. Ambrose University (Iowa) at the Pat Sullivan Center on Wednesday night.  With the win, USF improves to 17-1 overall and 9-1 in league play, while St. Ambrose falls to 8-9 and 5-4 in conference action.

Harris, who delivered the twentieth 20-plus point performance of her career, led all players in scoring after finishing the night converting on 7 of her 13 shots, including three of four attempts from three-point range.  She also accounted for six of her team's 15 free throws and recorded a team-high seven rebounds.

Tykara Harrison (16 points) and Coryn Fromm (15) also scored in double figures, combining to total half of the team's 24 points in the second quarter when the Saints jumped out to a 39-20 advantage.

Head coach John McGinty's club brought a solid defense all night long, which led to 12 St. Ambrose turnovers, most of which were forced.  The Saints cashed in on many of the miscues, finishing with 18 points off turnovers compared to seven for the Bees.

Zhane Singer and Malayah Scott provided two steals apiece, while Mariah Pates swatted away a game-high three blocked shots.  USF also dominated the boards with a 49-33 rebounding advantage on the glass.

Jayla Stirgus totaled 13 points for St. Ambrose with Abby Wolter adding 12 additional markers.

The Saints, who never led by more than four points after the first 10 minutes of the contest, outscored St. Ambrose 24-9 in the second quarter and had the lead as high as 26 points in the third quarter.  St. Ambrose would only cut that deficit to as low as 22 points being the closest it would get in the final 10 minutes before settling for the 74-45 final score.

Up Next
The Saints, who are currently ranked No.15 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, will be at home to face Governors State University in a 1 pm conference contest on Saturday, Jan. 17.

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