JOLIET, Ill. – Sophomore Chris Miller (Rockford, Ill./ Boylan Catholic) poured in 41 points – the third-highest single-game output in school history – to lead the University of St. Francis men’s basketball team to a 76-66 win over Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Olivet Nazarene University Saturday at the Sullivan Center.
Miller’s 41 points were the most by a Saint in nearly 30 years since Walter Jones tallied 41 against Roosevelt University on Jan. 22, 1983. Miller scored 32 of his points in the second half as USF (11-6 overall, 7-4 CCAC) came from behind to win for the fifth time in its last six games.
The Saints trailed 33-31 at the break and fell behind 52-45 with 13:05 remaining in the contest. Miller then scored USF’s next 10 points as it evened the score at 55-55 at the 9:57 mark.
A Miller three-pointer with 7:51 to go snapped a 57-57 deadlock and put the Saints on top to stay. He converted a three-point play at the 4:08 mark to push USF’s edge to eight points (70-62) – its largest advantage of the game to that point.
Miller connected of 15 of 22 attempts from the floor, including six of 10 from three-point distance, and was successful on five of six free throw tries on the afternoon. He also handed out four assists, matching senior Michael Cole (Chicago, Ill./ Manley) for team-high honors.
Senior Billy Hubly (Elk Grove, Ill./ Elk Grove) added 13 points for the Saints, who improved to 8-3 on their homecourt and ended a four-game series losing streak.
Jake Boyce led three Tigers (7-9, 5-7) in double figures with 18 points. Aaron Larson and Ben Worner tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively.
USF entertains CCAC rival Roosevelt Tuesday at 7 p.m. to close out a five-game homestand.
