The Cougars (17-1/2-1 CCAC), who have erased double-digit halftime deficits on at least two occasions during their 17-0 start, opened the second half with full court defensive pressure but the Saints were still able to maintain their lead and got it back up to 21 points on three different occasions, the last time coming at 53-32 with 14:33 left in the game.

But the Cougars, playing without the services of injured guard Kathlyn McClain who is their second-leading scorer, were finally able to make their run and put together a 16-0 spurt over the next three minutes to cut the lead to 53-48 with 11:39 to go. 

USF settled down and the lead fluctuated between five and 10 points until the final two minutes of the game. SXU chopped it to three points at 71-68 with 1:52 left but the Cougars could get no closer. USF struggled from the free throw line for most of the game, but senior guard Anna Sears (Providence Catholic H.S./Mokena, IL) sank a pair with 51 seconds remaining to push the Saints margin back up to seven points at 75-68. Sears and sophomore center Jen Andes (Hall H.S./Princeton, IL) each made free throws in the final 12 seconds to help seal the win.

USF, which has now won five straight games and seven of its last eight to climb to the .500 mark for the season, finished with four players in double figures. In addition to Storm's game-high 22 points, the Saints got 14 from senior forward Kaci Baird (Bartlett H.S./Bartlett, IL), 11 from Andes and 10 from senior forward Kellie Fazio (Leyden H.S./Rosemont, IL). Fazio authored a double-double and led the Saints with 14 rebounds. 

SXU was led in scoring by guard Shalonda Young who had 21 points. Guard Marissa Young added 13, with forward Erin Hannemann and guard Angie Bush each added 11. Hannemann also posted a double-double with 14 rebounds and S. Young did the same with 10 boards.

The Saints play their final nonconference game of the season on Saturday night at the Rec Center when they play host to Trinity Christian at 7:30 p.m.