Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez.

Whiting, IN — On January 28, the St. Francis Fighting Saints (14–6, 9–4 CCAC) traveled from Joliet to face the Calumet College of St. Joseph Crimson Wave (10–10, 6–7 CCAC) at the Rittenmeyer Center in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) matchup.

Coming into the game, the Fighting Saints had won three of their last five games, while the Crimson Wave had won two of their last five.

The game was extremely competitive throughout, and at halftime the Fighting Saints held a 29–22 lead.

Redshirt senior center/forward Merrick Small broke out in the second half, scoring 17 points to add to his first-half total of eight. The 6-foot-10 Australian finished with a career-high 25 points.

The final score was St. Francis 73, Calumet College of St. Joseph 70.

Merrick Small was named the WCCN Player of the Game after scoring 25 points, four rebounds, and one assist. He played 32 minutes, shooting 11-of-18 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.

With the win, St. Francis improved to 14–6 overall and 9–4 in conference play, placing them in second place in the CCAC standings, just behind their new rival, Governors State University (14–7, 10–3 CCAC).

The Fighting Saints previously fell to the Governors State Jaguars on January 3 by a score of 83–71. The two teams will meet again on February 7 in a rematch at home.

St. Francis travels to face Holy Cross College (9–12, 4–9 CCAC) on January 31.

Watch a few highlights of the game on YouTube (linked below), Facebook or Instagram @ Will Cook County News.

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