SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) men's basketball team traveled to Indiana University South Bend for a non-conference matchup on Wednesday, November 13. 

The Cougars defeated the Titans by a final score of 88-81 to improve to 6-1 on the season. 

The two teams battled back and forth to open the first half of action on Wednesday night until the 8:39 mark when USF retook the lead for good. A three-point shot from Luke Almodovar extended the Cougars' lead to 10 points. Saint Francis would take a 53-36 lead at halftime. 

A jump shot from D'Amare Hood gave the Cougars their biggest lead of the night at 76-57 with 9:04 to play in the second half. After two made free throws put USF up 85-74 with just under two minutes on the clock, IU South Bend would try to put together a rally, but Saint Francis would hold off the Titans for the 88-81 win. 

Saint Francis shot 58.6% (34-58) from the field and 42.3% (9-12) from three-point range. USF also outrebounded IU South Bend 33-21. Almodovar led the Cougars with 24 points, making three of his four three-point attempts and shooting 8-10 from the field. Freshman Hood added 22 points and two steals. Three more Cougars finished the night scoring in double digits including Isaiah Malone with 16 points and Robert Fry II and Zane Burke with 10 points apiece. Malone also pulled down 12 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double. Branden Northern finished with a team-high seven assists and four steals against IU South Bend.

Up next, USF men's basketball (6-1) will host No. 25 Indiana Tech in the Cougars' home opener on November 16.

Cougar fans can stay updated on all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com.