KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) traveled to Tennessee to compete in the 2024 NAIA "The Show" on November 30 - December 1. 

The (RV) Cougars faced the Bears from the University of Pikeville, who are receiving votes in the national polls, on Saturday before taking on the No. 2 Tigers of Georgetown College on Sunday. 

(RV) PIKEVILLE 88, (RV) SAINT FRANCIS 75

The Cougars and Bears battled back and forth in the first half of Saturday's game. After Pikeville tied the score 17-17, D'Amare Hood made a layup to take the two-point lead with 10:39 left to play in the first. The Bears answered, retaking the lead and extending it to 10 points at the 2:18 mark. Saint Francis would cut away at Pikeville's lead, but the Bears would hang on for the 42-37 advantage at halftime. The Cougars continued to battle to bring them within four points of the Bears in the second half of action, but Pikeville would outscore USF 46-38 en route to their fourth straight win on Saturday.

USF shot 44.6% (25-56) from the field and pulled down 36 rebounds on Saturday afternoon. Luke Almodovar led the Cougars with 22 points and seven rebounds. Joe Reidy added 14 points, four rebounds and a block against the Bears. Zane Burke also scored in double digits, finishing with 11 points while dishing out two assists. 

#2 GEORGETOWN 95, (RV) SAINT FRANCIS 72

The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead to open Sunday afternoon's game. The Cougars rallied to bring the score within eight points at the 6:06 mark of the first half, but Georgetown would take the 51-30 lead at halftime. The Tigers would go on to win Sunday's matchup by a final score of 95-77 to remain undefeated on the season.

As a team, the Cougars shot 37.1% (26-70) from the floor and outrebounded the Tigers 43-40. Almodovar finished with 18 points, five rebounds and two steals. Burke had 16 points, while Reidy added 15 points and five rebounds. Branden Northern pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, while Robert Fry II led in assists with five. 

Up next, USF men's basketball (9-3, 2-0) will return to the Hutzell Athletic Center for a Crossroads League matchup against No. 12 Huntington University on Wednesday, December 4. 

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