INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The No. 6 University of Saint Francis (Ind.) women's basketball team fell to No. 4 Marian University, 72-65, in the Crossroads League Tournament Championship on Monday, March 2.

The No. 2-seeded Cougars and top-seeded Knights traded baskets throughout a tightly contested matchup. Saint Francis held a 17-14 lead after the opening quarter, and the game remained close in the second. With the score tied 30-30 late in the half, Samiyah Stout knocked down a jumper with 37 seconds remaining to give the Cougars a 32-30 edge at the break.

Saint Francis shot 52.9% in the third quarter and outscored Marian 20-16 to extend its lead to 52-46 heading into the final period. The Knights chipped away at the Cougars' lead and tied the game at 65-65 with just over two minutes to play. Marian then connected on a three-pointer to regain the lead before adding a pair of free throws and a late layup to secure the 72-65 victory. 

Saint Francis finished the game shooting 51.1% (23-45) from the field and narrowly outrebounded Marian 39-38. Renna Schwieterman led the Cougars with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists. Stout added 15 points, while Cali Gregory contributed 12 points and two steals. Taylor Fordyce recorded 11 points, five rebounds, and a block.

Saint Francis women's basketball is now 27-4 in the season and is awaiting the seeding of the NAIA Women's Basketball Tournament, which will be announced on Thursday, March 5, at YouTube.com/PlayNAIA.

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Leadership and Business; Nursing; and  Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.