CHICAGO – The Saint Xavier University men's basketball team (19-9, 14-6 CCAC) concluded the regular season on a high note, defeating University of St. Francis (Ill.), 70-54, in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play, who entered the game in first place in the CCAC, Saturday afternoon on Bob Hallberg Court at the Shannon Center in Chicago, Ill. Senior forward Andre Brandon (Coralville, Iowa/Sauk Valley/Liberty) scored a game-high 14 points, along with seven rebounds, an assist, a blocked shot and a steal in 30 minutes of action. The game was tied at 37-37 with 9:41 left in regulation before the Cougars went on a 14-0 run over the next three minutes to go up 51-37 at the 6:01 mark, that was sparked after a three-pointer by junior guard Ashton Atwater (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Valley/Ostego). The win gives SXU a home game in the upcoming CCAC Tournament that begins on Tuesday, February 25.

Before the game, five seniors were recognized on 'Senior Day' with a pregame ceremony. Fifth-year senior guard Julian Barr (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln Land/Lincoln-Way), senior forward Kevin Bishop (Cleveland, Ohio/Pikeville/Parkland/Cleveland Benedictine), Brandon, senior guard Sando Hill (Vanoss, Okla./Lyon/Seminole State/Vanoss) and senior guard Jordan Jackson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northwood/Wilmington/East Kentwood).

• Bishop finished with 13 points, eight rebounds (three offensive), two steals and an assist in 27 minutes.
• Jackson also scored 13 points, along with three assists, two blocks and two rebounds.
• Atwater scored in double figures as well, netting 10 points. He added six rebounds, an assist and a steal in 24 minutes off the bench.
• Hill totaled eight points, making his lone field goal attempt and going 6-for-8 from the free-throw line. He also had a game-best five assists, two rebounds and a steal.
• Junior guard Mekhi Wilson (Covington, Ky./Iowa Central/Covington Catholic) recorded six points and a rebound in 10 minutes of play.
• Barr sank a three-pointer and he had a rebound, while junior forward Davion Lawrence (Oak Lawn, Ill./Moraine Valley/Oak Lawn Community) added three rebounds, two points and a steal.

Saint Xavier (19-9, 14-6 CCAC) awaits its seeding and finds out their opponent for the CCAC Tournament when the league office announces the bracket pairings early next week.