FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Friday evening, the No. 16 University of Saint Francis Cougars (24-8) traveled to Wichita, Kansas to face the Northwestern Red Raiders (21-11) in the Opening Round of the 2022 NAIA National Tournament presented by Ballogy and fended off a late surge to win 91-85.
The game started as a back-and-forth battle between both teams with the offenses starting hot. Through the game’s first five minutes both teams found themselves tied at 12, and then Saint Francis led 24-19 10 minutes in.
Then through the next several minutes, the Cougars found the momentum and began riding it as they built up a 35-23 lead with junior guard Jalan Mull leading the charge with 14 points. Meanwhile, junior forward David Ejah got a couple key blocks on defense as Saint Francis looked to take a commanding lead at halftime.
During the frame’s final minutes, they did just that. Capped by a couple made free throws by junior guard Antwaan Cushingberry Saint Francis took a 47-30 lead going into the half.
Throughout the first half, the Cougars shot 41 percent from beyond the three-point line while holding the Red Raiders to a three-point shooting percentage of just 16.
Heading into the second half, the Red Raiders came out strong though and began chipping away at the lead for the Cougars. Northwestern managed to close the deficit to within eight points eight minutes into the frame as they had taken control of the momentum.
Midway through the second half the Cougars still led by nine.
The game continued as a back-and-forth battle in the latter minutes of the game, and with under five minutes remaining, the lead for Saint Francis was only six.
But as soon as it looked like the Red Raiders would get to within striking distance, David Ejah got a clutch steal and turned it into a dunk to put Saint Francis back ahead by eight, and they kept their distance down to the final minute.
Despite a final surge by the Red Raiders, the Cougars knocked down key free throws when they needed to and managed their six-point lead to advance to the Round of 32.
“Our guys made big plays down the stretch tonight,” Head Coach Chad LaCross said. “We hit our free throws and had huge efforts from our bench. We are excited to earn another day!”
Throughout the game, the Cougars shot 53 percent from the floor, 37 percent from beyond the three-point line, and 75 percent from the free throw line. Antwaan Cushingberry led the team in scoring with 21 points and also had six rebounds and four assists. Jalan Mull chipped in with 19 points, six rebounds, and a team-leading eight assists of his own, while David Ejah led the team in rebounds with 11 and had 14 points for a double-double.
The Cougars will now face the winner of the preceding Briar Cliff vs Bethel game in the Opening Round Final in Wichita beginning at 7:00 pm.
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