| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Francis (IL) (6-1, 4-1) | 19 | 36 | 55 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) (8-2, 5-0) | 34 | 40 | 74 |
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Olivet Nazarene (IL) (8-2, 5-0) secured a decisive 74-55 victory over St. Francis (IL) (6-1, 4-1) at McHie Arena on Saturday. The Tigers capitalized on St. Francis's 16 turnovers, converting them into 18 points.
Olivet Nazarene started the game with a strong defensive stance, quickly overcoming an early 5-point deficit. Andrew Bennett's three-pointer at 17:23 initiated a momentum shift, leading to a series of successful plays. Keagen Holder's layup at 7:41 further extended their lead to 10 points.
The home team maintained control throughout the half, capitalizing on turnovers and defensive rebounds. Eli Edwards contributed significantly, adding a layup and free throw at 8:49. The Tigers closed the first half with a commanding 34–19 lead over St. Francis.
Olivet Nazarene maintained its dominance in the second half, extending the lead to 23 points at 7:44 with a layup by Jonny Dickson, assisted by Mason Wood. The team capitalized on its opportunities in the paint, scoring 20 points inside while matching St. Francis in rebounds with 14 each. Despite the Fighting Saints' efforts to close the gap, Olivet Nazarene's consistent scoring kept the margin secure. The game ended with Olivet Nazarene leading 74–55.
Edwards led the team with 21 points and collected eight rebounds. Holder contributed 16 points while dishing out seven assists and securing four steals. Wood scored 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and added five rebounds to his performance. Bennett finished with 10 points and recorded three rebounds.
The Tigers hold an 8-2 overall record and remain undefeated in conference play at 5-0. St. Francis is now 6-1 overall with a 4-1 record in conference competition.
--ONU--