SOUTH BEND, Ind.- The Indiana University South Bend Titans (21-8, 15-5 CCAC) defeated the University of Saint Francis Fighting Saints (16-11, 14-6 CCAC) by a score 51-50. Tuesday’s victory advances IU South Bend to the CCAC Semi Finals for a matchup with Olivet Nazarene University.
Offensive struggles for both teams plagued the first half of action in Tuesday’s contest, with the first points of the game coming with more than six minutes gone in the first half.
IU South Bend shot 31% from the field in the first half and did not feature a scorer with more than four points heading into halftime.
Saint Francis shot an abysmal 25% from the field in the first half, scoring just six field goals through 20 minutes of play.
The second half was dominated by senior guard Donyell Meredith II, who erupted for 22 of his game high 26 points in the final 20 minutes of the game. Meredith II went 5-6 from the three point line in the second half while knocking down 5-7 free throws he attempted.
With the season on the line the Titans found themselves down 50-41 with under three minutes to play. IU South Bend then went on a 10-0 run to close out the game. A run that saw Meredith II score the final seven points of the contest, including knocking down a pair of free throws to allow the Titans to escpae with a 51-50 victory.
IU South Bend travels to Bourbonnais, Ill., to take on the Olivet Nazarene University Tigers in the semi finals of the CCAC Tournament on Thursday, February 23. The winner of that game will play the winner of the contest between Saint Xavier and Indiana Northwest.
If the Titans defeat Olivet Nazarene and Saint Xavier wins, the Titans would travel to Saint Xavier for the CCAC Tournament Championship. If the Titans defeat Olivet Nazarene and Indiana Northwest wins, IU South Bend would host Indiana Northwest on Saturday, February 25.