FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The Hutzell Athletic Center was packed for Cougar Madness on Wednesday evening as the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Lady Cougars took on the Grace College Lancers. This crossroads league matchup came down to the wire, with your Lady Cougs on top 54-50.

This was a back and forth matchup all night long. The Lady Cougs went up 15-12 after the first quarter behind 7 Chloe McKnight points. After a tough second quarter, they found themselves down by 1 at the half. Despite 8 points from Julia Mantyla in the third, the Lady Cougs were down 36-34 with one quarter to play. They continued to fight on both ends of the floor and Isabella Gizzi came up big time with a 3 to put them up 4 late in the game. Despite the Lancers matching with a three of their own, Chloe McKnight scored a tough bucket to put them up 3. They had a big defensive stop, and Taylor Fordyce hit a free throw with less than 10 seconds to go to put the game out of reach for the Lancers. One key contributor was Chloe McKnight with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Off the bench Julia Mantyla had herself a game with 16 points of her own and 4 blocks on the defensive end. 

This home finale was also senior night for the Lady Cougs. They honored Fatima Valiente and Reganne Pate for their contribution to the program.

The Lady Cougs will wrap up the regular season this Saturday, February 24th at 1:00 PM EST in Spring Arbor Michigan. They will be playing the Spring Arbor University Cougars who are 22-5 overall and 13-4 in conference. Your Lady Cougs look to avenge a close loss from January 20th where they lost 69-68. With the win tonight, the Cougs locked in playing their first game of the Crossroads League tournament at home. That game will on Tuesday, February 27th at 7pm.

Cougar fans stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.

- Sam Pesa -