In a shocking turn of events, Saint Francis, ranked 354th in the nation, pulled off a stunning 21-point upset over Chicago State, ranked 352nd, at DeGol Arena. The final score of 81-60 was a far cry from the predicted 3.2-point margin in favor of Saint Francis, as the Red Flash dominated the Cougars from start to finish. This outcome is particularly surprising given the teams' similar rankings, making it a significant upset in the college basketball world.
Skylar Wicks was the star of the show for Saint Francis, posting an impressive 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team to victory. Wicks' double-double was complemented by strong performances from Chris Moncrief, who added 18 points, and Zion Russell, who chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Red Flash's balanced attack proved too much for Chicago State to handle, as they built a 15-point lead by halftime, with the score reading 47-32 in their favor.
CJ Ray was the lone bright spot for Chicago State, scoring 21 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in a valiant effort. However, his teammates were unable to provide sufficient support, and the Cougars were unable to mount a significant comeback. Doyel Cockrill III and Chauncey Gibson added 13 and 10 points, respectively, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The CHD Scout prediction, which had Saint Francis winning by 3.2 points, was correct in terms of the winner, but the margin of victory was far greater than anticipated. The actual score of 81-60 was a reflection of Saint Francis' dominance, as they outscored Chicago State 34-28 in the second half to seal the win.
This upset victory has real consequences for Saint Francis' resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 win. While it may not be a marquee victory, it is still a much-needed win for the Red Flash, who improved to 6-14 on the season. On the other hand, Chicago State's loss drops them to 2-18, and this Quadrant 4 defeat will not help their already slim tournament chances.
The resume impact of this result is clear: Saint Francis has taken a small step forward, while Chicago State has taken a step back. As the season enters its final stretch, every win counts, and Saint Francis want to build on this momentum to improve their tournament prospects. For Chicago State, the task of turning their season around just got even more daunting. This upset win will be a crucial part of Saint Francis' resume as they vie for a spot in the tournament, and it will be interesting to see how they capitalize on this momentum in their upcoming games.