ELGIN, Ill. --- University of St. Francis needed all of its 63 percent shooting mark from the field in the second half and another strong performance from senior forward Lukas Zebrauskas (Stagg H.S./Palos Heights, IL) to hold off Judson University in a 90-84 victory Tuesday night at the Lindner Fitness Center. 

Zebrauskas tallied 18 of his team-high 21 points in the second half to lead the team in scoring for the third time in four contests.  His effort helped the Saints win the second-half shootout, 57-56, after USF took a 33-28 lead into the break.

Zebrauskas, who also led all rebounders with nine boards, was one of five Saints to score no less than 10 points leading to the team's second straight 90-point performance.  USF hit that mark on Tuesday in a 90-65 win over Holy Cross College (Ind.).

Sophomore guard Andrew Lerg (DeWitt H.S./DeWitt, MI) was next in line with 17 points and four three-pointers, while senior center Jordan Lee (Southeastern Oklahoma State University/Champaign, IL) was one point behind with 16 markers off the bench.  He also totaled seven rebounds.

Freshman guard Chris Miller (Boylan H.S./Rockford, IL) added 12 points and freshman forward Darius Draper (Stagg H.S./Palos Hills, IL), 10.

After trailing for most of the first ten minutes of the contest, St. Francis built a 12-point cushion twice in the first half before settling for a 33-28 edge at the break.

Try as USF might to regain a double-digit lead in the second half, Judson and, in particular, Josh Edwards, would let it happen only twice.  Edwards hit for 31 points thanks to a 5-of-8 reading from long range, but the Eagles could not break the three-point barrier in the closing half.  They got as close as that difference three times in the second half and trailed by only four points in the closing minute.

Fortunately for the Saints, they converted 7-of-8 free throws – five from Miller – in the last 27 seconds to prevail.

The Saints (11-7) will look to make it a perfect week on Saturday night when they host Purdue University North Central at 7 p.m.