Thurs., Dec. 18, 2008

   CHICAGO, Ill. -- No matter how many times he sees it happen, University of Saint Francis coach Jeff Rekeweg just can't get used to it.
   His Cougars have had trouble handling prosperity this season, but it's character that counts as USF showed in winning the 2008 St. Xavier University Holiday Tournament with a 72-65 decision over Wilberforce University (OH) in the championship game Thursday night.
   After bolting out to 16-point lead early in the second half, USF slipped behind by three with just over eight minutes to play before regrouping and holding off the Bulldogs.
   Sophomore DeJovaun Sawyer-Davis scored 18 of his game-best 24 points in the second half to lock up tournament MVP and senior guard Nate Bojrab was also named to the All-Tournament team after scoring 15 points for the Cougars. USF has won four straight games to improve to 10-5.
   "Despite some adversity at the free-throw line and other areas, we gathered ourselves, made some plays and showed a lot of character and composure coming back after that big lead disappeared," Rekeweg said. "This is a great tournament because you see different styles of play and you have to adjust on the road playing three games in three days."
   After Phil Moore scored for a 51-49 WU lead with 8:16 to play, the Cougars regained the lead for good on a Sawyer-Davis pass to Bojrab for a layup with 6:36 to play. Bojrab's basket on the break put the Cougars in front 57-56. Neither team scored duirng a two-minute stretch, but Bojrab hit a 3-pointer for a 65-59 USF lead with 2:23 to play. USF hit seven free throws in the time remaining to keep the Bulldogs at arm's length.
   "We missed several free throws when we up 16, then they came down and knocked down a couple 3s," Rekeweg said. "That got them back in the game and put us on our heels. Rebounding was huge for us."
  USF outrebounded WU 38-28.
  Senior guard Kreigh Hentrup added 10 points for USF while Matt Edmonds and Bojrab led USF rebounding with eight apiece. USF led 28-24 at halftime.
  The Cougars return to action on Monday (Dec. 22) at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., at 7 p.m.