The Saints clamped down on the defensive end and scored the final 12 points of the game as Central Christian College of the Bible defeated Union College (Neb.), 74-66, on the road Monday evening.

Central Christian (6-7) led by as many as 14 in the first half after jumping out to a 26-12 advantage with 7:12 remaining. Union (1-15) didn't go away, cutting into the deficit to make it 36-32 by halftime.

The Saints struggled shooting the ball in both halves, but a slow start to the second half allowed the Warriors to go on a 20-5 run and take an 11-point lead with 10:08 left to play.

Central Christian began chipping away at the deficit and tied the game at 66 on a layup by Josh Crawford with 1:19 remaining. A rebound on a missed Union 3-pointer on the other end led to a series of fouls, and the Saints closed out the game by making eight of their final nine attempts from the free throw line.

Crawford led the Saints with 14 points. Rodrigo Nunez scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Kedron Rollings added 11 points and Caleif Gregg had 10.

Union was led by Tanner Forde with 17 points and Daniel Orosco with 13.

Central Christian shot 36 percent from the field and 23 percent (6-for-26) from behind the arc. They were outrebounded by the hosts, 49-45, but came away with 16 steals on 24 Union turnovers.

The Saints hit the road again on Thursday when they face Midwest Christian College Conference foe Ozark Christian College at 6 p.m. in Joplin.