St. Francis (IL) News
Fri, Dec 18, 2009 - [Men's Basketball]
Andrew Fair scored eight points and had four assists in his St. Francis debut on Friday night.
CHICAGO - University of St. Francis proved to be a rusty bunch after its 13-day layoff as the Saints shot a season-low 33.3 percent from the field in dropping a 55-45 decision to Valley City State University (ND) in opening-round play of the Robert Morris University Holiday Tournament Friday night.
Despite its offensive woes, including in the first half when it shot 36 percent (9-of-25), USF was still able to manage a 23-20 lead at the break as Valley City State was equally as slow to get its offensive game going being held to just 32 percent shooting from the field (8-of-25).
The Saints (2-11) twice got the lead up to 6 points in the opening half, but it could have been a lot more had it not been for their failure to convert inside forcing them to have to settle for the 3-point edge at the break.
Valley City State (8-4) then jumped out of the gates in the second half totaling 11 points in just the first 4:25 to take a 33-29 lead. USF eventually worked that back to even at 33-all, but never regained the advantage again as the Vikings converted at a 60 percent clip after the break (15-of-25), while the Saints dropped to 30.8 percent (8-of-26).
Valley City State pushed the lead as high as double digits three times, including the final tally, in the second half sparked by double-figure scorers Orlando Anderson (14 points), Dareon Spencer (12) and Chris Fuqua (10).
No Saint scored more than 8 points with Andrew Fair (Olive Harvey College/Chicago, IL) - making his Saint debut - and Justin Richmond (Highland Community College/Waukegan, IL) doing those honors.
"I wasn't disappointed in our effort tonight," said USF head coach Pat Sullivan. "They had four guys averaging in double figures and we held them to 55 points as a team.
"Where I was disappointed was in how many shots we missed, especially inside. We just couldn't finish inside."
The Saints conclude play at the Robert Morris Tournament Saturday looking to avenge an earlier 86-65 defeat to East-West University. Tipoff is 1 p.m.
Despite its offensive woes, including in the first half when it shot 36 percent (9-of-25), USF was still able to manage a 23-20 lead at the break as Valley City State was equally as slow to get its offensive game going being held to just 32 percent shooting from the field (8-of-25).
The Saints (2-11) twice got the lead up to 6 points in the opening half, but it could have been a lot more had it not been for their failure to convert inside forcing them to have to settle for the 3-point edge at the break.
Valley City State (8-4) then jumped out of the gates in the second half totaling 11 points in just the first 4:25 to take a 33-29 lead. USF eventually worked that back to even at 33-all, but never regained the advantage again as the Vikings converted at a 60 percent clip after the break (15-of-25), while the Saints dropped to 30.8 percent (8-of-26).
Valley City State pushed the lead as high as double digits three times, including the final tally, in the second half sparked by double-figure scorers Orlando Anderson (14 points), Dareon Spencer (12) and Chris Fuqua (10).
No Saint scored more than 8 points with Andrew Fair (Olive Harvey College/Chicago, IL) - making his Saint debut - and Justin Richmond (Highland Community College/Waukegan, IL) doing those honors.
"I wasn't disappointed in our effort tonight," said USF head coach Pat Sullivan. "They had four guys averaging in double figures and we held them to 55 points as a team.
"Where I was disappointed was in how many shots we missed, especially inside. We just couldn't finish inside."
The Saints conclude play at the Robert Morris Tournament Saturday looking to avenge an earlier 86-65 defeat to East-West University. Tipoff is 1 p.m.
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