FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Led by
Baylei Johnson's career-high 28 points, the University of St. Francis women's basketball team grabbed its first victory of the 2026-27 season, beating Cornerstone University (Mich.) 79-67 on the second day of the Indiana Tech Invitational Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The win also marked the first collegiate head coaching victory for
Jimmy Copenhaver.
In only their fourth-ever meeting, the two teams matched up evenly through the first half with the score tied at 20-20 after the first quarter, followed by a matching 15-15 scoring output after the second to mark a 35-35 halftime score. Johnson and
Malayah Scott teamed up to score 22 of USF's 35 first-half points, with Johnson leading both teams with six rebounds to her credit.
The game would stay within a two-point margin all the way through the third quarter before Scott connected for a three-pointer with eight seconds left in the frame to give the Saints a five-point lead, only to have the Golden Eagles respond with a long-range missile of their own to mark the score at 56-54 thirteen seconds into the final period. It was at that point that Johnson took control, leading the St. Francis' charge with eight straight points over a 1:40 stretch as part of a 13-0 scoring run that was capped off by a converted three-point play that resulted after a steal and a layup from
Coryn Fromm. The Saints would later widen their advantage to as high as 15 points on three separate occasions over the remaining seven minutes of play to close out the game with a 79-67 victory.
Leading all players with 28 points - 12 of which were scored in the decisive fourth quarter - Johnson went 12-for-17 from the field with four free throws, while Fromm hit seven of her 16 field goal attempts with one three-pointer and five free throws to chip in an additional 20 markers. Scott also reached double figures in scoring with her 14 points. Johnson also led all players in rebounding, pulling down 11 boards in the contest en route to her third career double-double.
With a balanced shooting percentage of .473 on the night (26-of-55) for the Saints compared to Cornerstone's .431 showing (28-of-65), USF relied on its defense, forcing 20 Golden Eagle turnovers and turning those miscues into a 25-10 scoring advantage in points off turnovers. That more than offset a balanced 39-35 rebounding battle between the two teams, with the Saints also edging out that category over the guests.
Up Next
The Saints, who are currently receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, will be at home to face St. Thomas University (Fla.) in a 7 pm contest on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.
