ELGIN, Ill. --- University of St. Francis saw an 18-point second-half lead dissipate down to three points in the late going, but the Saints held on as all five starters scored in double figures to lead USF to a 70-63 victory over Judson University at the Lindner Fitness Center Thursday night.

Double-double efforts from both senior forward Michelle Karr (Providence Catholic H.S./Tinley Park, IL) and junior center Ashley Teresiak (Moraine Valley C.C./Orland Park, IL) keyed the charge with Karr totaling 17 points and 13 rebounds and Teresiak registering 17 points and 11 caroms.  Together, they helped the Saints gain a 48-30 advantage on the boards.

Senior guard Brandi Pudik (Kankakee C.C./Washington, IL) and freshman forward Katie Gonnering (Freedom H.S./Seymour, WI) added 11 points each to the Saints' cause, while freshman guard Cydney Weisflog (Oak Creek H.S./Oak Creek, WI) chipped in with 10 points.

The five accounted for all but four of USF's 70 points on the night with 27 points coming from the foul line opposite just nine for the hosts.  That turned out to be the difference in the end as Judson outscored the Saints from the field, 54-43, including 24-9 from three-point range.

USF (14-8) held a 33-21 lead at the break and pushed that advantage to 18 points on three occasions early in the second half, the last time at 16:35. 

Only once did Judson (10-11) get the deficit down to single digits (50-41) over the next 14:19 before rallying in the closing 2:16.  The Eagles got as close as 66-63 with 70 seconds remaining but misfired on three three-pointers after that, while Karr hit a layup and Teresiak, two free throws, to seal the victory.

St. Francis is off until Tuesday when it seeks revenge against NAIA I No. 22-ranked Robert Morris University at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.  USF dropped a 71-58 decision to the Eagles back on January 7 at the Sullivan Center.  Tipoff on Tuesday is 5 p.m.