SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Interstat) — The Indiana University South Bend Titans used a dominant second-half performance to pull away from the Holy Cross Saints for a 90-78 victory in a men’s NAIA basketball game on Saturday.

The Titans, who evened their overall record at 4-4, outscored the Saints 51-40 after halftime to turn a narrow 39-38 deficit into a comfortable double-digit win. Holy Cross fell to 1-7 with the loss.

The game’s pivotal shift occurred early in the second half. After a tightly contested first half that featured 10 lead changes and saw neither team lead by more than five points, Indiana South Bend seized control with a decisive 15-4 run. The surge transformed a 49-49 tie into a 64-53 Titans advantage with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Holy Cross, which had kept pace behind efficient inside scoring, could not mount a sustained response. The Titans’ defense tightened, forcing several Saints turnovers that fueled their transition game. Indiana South Bend’s lead ballooned to as many as 16 points in the final minutes, effectively sealing the outcome.

The Titans’ victory was a collective effort, with balanced scoring and key contributions across the roster. Guard CJ Hornbeak provided consistent offense throughout, while forward Collin Schmidt and guard Mark White made significant plays at both ends of the floor. Forward AJ Dunn was instrumental in the second-half surge, scoring in a variety of ways to help extend the lead.

For Holy Cross, guard Joey Garwood and forward Karl Birgisson provided offensive sparks, but the Saints struggled to contain Indiana South Bend’s multifaceted attack. The Titans shot efficiently from the field and capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, particularly down the stretch to maintain their commanding lead.

The win was in line with pregame projections, as statistical models heavily favored the Titans at home. Indiana South Bend will look to build on the momentum when it hosts Cornerstone next Saturday. Holy Cross, mired in a six-game losing streak, seeks to rebound when it faces Aquinas next Saturday in Notre Dame, Indiana.

The contest concluded a challenging early-season stretch for both teams within the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference and non-conference play.