LA CROSSE, Wis. -- After a low-scoring affair in the first half, a 12-4 burst in the early part of the second half propelled the University of St. Francis men's basketball team to a 60-49 victory over Viterbo University (Wis.) in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday night.  Damarcies Moore fueled the surge leading to his seventh double-double performance of the season (10 points, 11 rebounds) to aid the Fighting Saints.

Leading by three points (20-17) after connecting for just 9-of-30 shots in the first half, the Saints (19-7, 14-5 CCAC) doubled up their scoring halfway through the second period, converting on nine of its first eleven field goal attempts during the stretch to take a 41-33 lead.  Along with Moore's contribution of seven points during the team's 12-4 run during the first five minutes, four additional Saints combined to score the remaining 18 points of the 10-minute offensive attack, including seven from Joffrey Nunnally.

The eight-point advantage would swell to 14 points (53-39) with four and a half minutes to go when St. Francis connected on five of its next seven possessions highlighted by Merrick Small's three straight layups and another three-pointer from Moore.  USF would lead by double digits the rest of the evening, including by as many as 15 points (60-45) with 53 seconds left on the clock.

St. Francis' 40 points in the second half, which came off 17 field goals in 24 attempts (70.8 pct.), and a 5-for-9 showing from beyond the arc (55.6 pct.), lead the Saints to outscore the V-Hawks 40-32 after the break and pull away for the 11-point win.

Eight Saints in all contributed to the scoring column and their 48.1 percent shooting mark from the field (26-of-54).  They also connected on 2 of its 4 free throws and 6-of-18 three-pointers.

Besides Moore, Small contributed a game-high 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Viterbo, which had two players as well hit for at least 10 points, shot 38.2 percent from the field (21-of-55) and was just 1-of-13 from beyond the arc (7.7 pct.).  Carson Koepnick led the hosts with his 12 points.

Up Next
The Saints play their final regular-season home game on Saturday (Feb. 21) when they host Indiana University South Bend in a conference matchup beginning at 3 pm.

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