Titans overcome first-half deficit to defeat St. Francis – Indiana University South Bend
JOLIET, Ill. – Behind 13 second-half points from Kenny Washington, IU South Bend overcame a double-digit deficit on Wednesday night, rallying to take an 81-61 road win at St. Francis in CCAC play.
Dylan Allen led the way with 17 points on the night, but Washington scored a game-high 13 of his 15 points after the halftime break, as the Titans (9-2, 5-0 CCAC) out-scored their opponents 51-22 in the second half.
Washington and Donyell Meredith each finished with 15 points for IUSB, as Meredith recorded a double-double with ten rebounds on the night. Miles Tracy scored 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, while Sergio Diaz finished with ten.
The lead changed hands seven times over the first four minutes of play, but a 9-1 run for the Titans gave the visitors an 18-11 lead following a Spencer Pettit layup at the 13:58 mark. The Saints (6-4, 3-4 CCAC) reclaimed the lead later in the first half, using a 15-0 run to go up 35-28 with 4:09 remaining in the first period.
With a nine-point lead at the half, St. Francis took their largest lead of the night after opening the second half with a three-pointer, going up 42-30. A little over two minutes later, a pair of free throws from Tracy started a run of 12 unanswered points that put the Titans back on top, 50-47 with 12:38 left to play.
The Saints would respond with a three-pointer to even the score, but would be out-scored 31-11 throughout the remaining 12 minutes as the IUSB defense held their opponents to just one field goal over an eight-minute stretch in the second half.
With the win, the Titans extend their streak to six consecutive victories, the longest current streak in the CCAC, and remain atop the CCAC standings with a perfect record in conference play. IU South Bend will host IU Northwest this weekend for their next test, with the Redhawks coming to the Student Activities Center for a 3:00 p.m. tip on Saturday, December 11.