USF Men's Basketball Drops 67-66 Decision to Roosevelt

JOLIET, Ill. – Led by Jeremiah Jackson's 23 points and 18 rebounds, Roosevelt University overcame a 14-point second-half deficit en route to a 67-66 win over the University of St. Francis men's basketball team in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action Tuesday night at the Sullivan Center.

Three 3-point baskets by sophomore Chris Miller (Rockford, Ill./ Boylan Catholic) in the first 5:22 of the second half helped propel USF (11-7 overall, 7-5 CCAC) to a 49-35 advantage.

Roosevelt trimmed the gap to single digits, 51-43, at the 12:03 mark, but a three-pointer from freshman Edvinas Presniakovas (Plainfield, Ill./ Plainfield South) with 9:22 remaining pushed USF's lead back to 14 points, 59-45.

Roosevelt went on a 15-2 run to cut the Saints' lead to 61-60 with 3:31 remaining in the contest. Jackson scored five of his game-high 23 points during that run.

USF took its last lead of the contest, 64-63, when Miller connected on one of two free throw attempts with 1:07 to go. Jackson buried a pair of free throws 20 seconds later to give the Lakers the lead for good, 65-64, before Brandyn Denson hit two more foul shots with :19 remaining.

The Saints' final basket came on a Presniakovas tip-in with four seconds left. Jackson was fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass and missed both free throws, but USF managed only a desperation shot from halfcourt as time expired.

Joe Harks added 18 points for the Lakers, who snapped a three-game road losing skid. Denson finished with 14 points, while Tyree York contributed 10 points and six assists.

Miller led USF with 23 points. Senior Billy Hubly (Elk Grove, Ill./ Elk Grove) chipped in 11, giving him 900 for his career.

Tuesday's game marked the Saints' third home loss by one or two points.

USF returns to action Thursday night when it travels to Palos Heights to meet Trinity Christian College in CCAC play at 7:30 p.m.