Lourdes picked up a victory over host St. Francis (Ill.) on Saturday evening, as the Gray Wolves notched an 80-73 win to begin play in the St. Francis Thanksgiving Classic held inside the Pat Sullivan Center in Joliet, Ill.
 
Trailing 23-18 midway through the first half, Lourdes scored the next seven points to pull in front.  The Gray Wolves would increase the lead to as many as nine, 40-31, late in the period before the Fighting Saints scored the last six points to close within three at halftime.
 
The Gray Wolf lead grew to nine, 51-42, four minutes out of the locker room before St. Francis scored the next nine points to pull even.  After the Fighting Saints took a 55-53 lead, Lourdes responded with a three-point play by Jackie Harris (Toledo, Ohio/Saint Francis de Sales H.S.) followed by a three-pointer by Brett Lauf (Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon H.S.) to take the lead for good.  The Gray Wolves would gradually pull away late to earn the non-conference victory.
 
Joey Holifield (Toledo, Ohio/Cardinal Stritch H.S.) led the Gray Wolves with 21 points, going 11-for-11 from the free throw line.  Harris added 19 more while Jordique Vincent (Orlando, Fla./Montverde Academy) chipped in 10 more off the bench.
 
Lourdes shot 47.4% from the floor but were 20-of-24 (83.3%) from the free throw line to secure the win. 
 
Aitor Anabitarte led St. Francis (1-2) with 16 points and 14 rebounds while Darius Wright added 15 for the Fighting Saints.
 
Lourdes (5-2) closes out play in the St. Francis Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday afternoon as the Gray Wolves face East-West.  Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. EST.