CHICAGO – The upset bid by Saint Xavier University women's basketball (2-2, 0-0 CCAC) came up just short, losing to No. 8 University of Saint Francis (Ind.) in a defensive battle on the final day of the Catholic Classic Saturday evening on Bob Hallberg Court at the Shannon Center in Chicago, Ill. The host 'Red' Cougars built up a 28-15 lead after the first quarter with sophomore guard Maeve Egan (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley) knocking down three three-pointers. SXU led 30-17 with 7:04 remaining in the second period, however the 'Blue' Cougars went on a 13-2 run to close out the half as Saint Xavier held a 32-30 lead at the break.

Both teams traded the lead in the third period before the 'Red' Cougars went up 43-40 in the closing seconds after freshman guard Julia Benjamin (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) nailed a corner three. The score was tied at 47-47 with 6:17 left in regulation and both teams combined for five points down the stretch. USF hit a jumper in the lane with 25 seconds to go to pull away for the narrow win. The SXU defense limited Saint Francis to 39.6 percent shooting (21-for-53) and only 20.0 percent (3-for-15) from beyond the arc, along with 10 turnovers, five blocked shots and a pair of steals.

• Egan scored a season-high and team-best 15 points, making five of her 10 three-point attempts. She also had an assist and a rebound in 25 minutes of play.
• Sophomore forward Veronica Bafia (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport Township) went 6-for-8 from the floor, collecting 13 points. She added four rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 36 minutes of action.
• Freshman guard Brooklynn Johnson (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) totaled eight points, a career-best seven rebounds, four assists and a steal in 33 minutes on the court.
• Senior guard Jaidn Green (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North) recorded five points, two assists and a rebound in 28 minutes.
• Freshman forward Alaina Peetz (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) pulled down seven rebounds with three blocked shots, two points and an assist in 33 minutes of play.
• Junior guard Madyson Kibelkis (Peotone, Ill./Peotone) added two points, two rebounds and a steal in five minutes off the bench.

Saint Xavier (2-2/0-0 CCAC) starts Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) competition when they play St. Ambrose University (Iowa) on Wednesday, November 12. The game is scheduled for a 5:30 pm start.