Saints fall to St. Francis (IL)

First Half:

The Holy Cross College Saints put up a strong fight in the first half but found themselves trailing 45-32 against St. Francis (IL) at the break. The Saints started the game efficiently, shooting 6-for-13 from the field in the first quarter and keeping pace with St. Francis, trailing just 19-16 after 10 minutes. Allie Caldwell (Zionsville, IN / Zionsville HS) led the way early, scoring 7 points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting, including a three-pointer. Grace Adams (Elkhart, IN / Penn HS) contributed 4 points while adding 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Kayliana Hammel (New Haven, IN / Bishop Dwenger HS) and Jordyn Smith (Granger, IN / Penn HS) also chipped in offensively, helping the Saints stay within striking distance. However, the second quarter proved more challenging as St. Francis extended its lead. The Saints' shooting percentage dipped slightly to 6-for-16, and they struggled to generate second-chance opportunities, finishing the half with just one offensive rebound. Adams continued to lead with 6 points in the quarter, while Hammel and Lilly Toppen (DeMotte, IN / Kankakee Valley HS) each knocked down a three-pointer. Caldwell, who was a key offensive contributor in the first quarter, went scoreless in the second. Defensively, the Saints managed only 2 steals in the half, making it difficult to slow down St. Francis' attack. Turnovers remained a concern, as Holy Cross committed 6 in the first half, allowing St. Francis to capitalize in transition.

Second Half:

In the second half, the Saints showed impressive skills, nearly completing their comeback against St. Francis (IL). After trailing 45-32 at halftime, they stormed back in the third quarter, outscoring St. Francis 17-9 to narrow the gap to just 5 points. Allie Caldwell played a key role in the push, scoring 6 points, including 2 critical three-pointers, while Brooke Lindesmith (Crown Point, IN / Crown Point HS) dominated on the boards with 6 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards, creating second-chance opportunities. Grace Adams also contributed significantly, adding 9 points and 2 steals. In the fourth quarter, the Saints continued to battle, with Adams scoring a big three-pointer. Despite shooting 40% from the field and maintaining solid defensive play, the Saints struggled to close the final gap. The game remained tight until the end, but the Saints ultimately fell 69-63. While the loss stung, it was clear that the Saints' fight and determination kept the game close, showcasing their resilience and potential as they pushed hard for the win.