USF Athletics
Marcus Taliaferro
JOLIET – A dominant first-half effort from the University of St. Francis men’s basketball team to go with four USF players scoring double-digit points allowed the Saints to pick up a home victory over Judson, 87-77, in a non-league encounter this Saturday (Dec. 5) afternoon at the Sullivan Center.
The win gives the Saints their second straight victory and propels USF to a 2-1 record to open the 2020-21 season. USF also snaps a two-game losing streak to the Eagles as the Saints are now 8-2 in their last ten games against Judson.
Guard Joey Buggemi (JR/Frankfort, Ill) got the offense started with a layup in the opening two minutes of the first half. Buggemi led the way for USF with a team-high 20 points shooting 6-10 from the field and hitting 3 three-point shots. Foward Carter Fayhee (JR/Macomb, Ill) provided 14 points off the bench, forward-center Deandre Johnson(SR/Watts, Calif.) scored 12 points, and guard Eric Ting(SR/Taoyuan, Taiwan) posted 11 points. Fayhee and Johnson’s contribution off the bench allowed the Saints to register 41 total bench points. The Saints shot an outstanding 55% from the field and netted all but five free-throws finishing the game shooting 75%.
Jordan Johnson poured in a game-high 23 points for Judson, who fall to 0-3 on the season. The Eagles committed 15 turnovers but, shot 52% from the field. The Saints defense held the Eagles to only four three-point shots as Judson finished the game shooting 4-15 from beyond the arch.
The Saints dominated the boards outrebounding Judson 38-23 including 26 defensive rebounds and 12 offensive rebounds. Deandre Johnson provided a team-high 12 rebounds to the 38 total rebounds. USF also shared the ball well as they scored off of 22 assists with Carter Fayhee leading the Saints with six assists.
After holding a 13 point lead after the first half, The Saints would dominate the beginning of the second half. A Deandre Johnson layup put the Saints up 68-49 and give USF their largest lead of the game with 10:22 left. Despite the offensive onslaught, the Eagles would attempt a comeback, being down by eight with 4:53 left to go in the second half. However, the Saints defense stayed strong and would hold on to claim the 87-77 victory despite being outscored in the second half 45-42.
The Saints continue their opening-season homestand to take on Indiana University Northwest this Wednesday (Dec.9) in a non-conference game at the Sullivan Center. A 7 p.m (CT) start is slated for the matchup between the two CCAC rivals.