FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Feb. 16, 2008) – Saint Francis, fielding a new-look lineup, put on a gutty performance in the second half, scoring 21 points to Sacred Heart's 26, but the damage of a 42-15 halftime deficit proved insurmountable as the Pioneers cruised to a, 68-36, win in women's basketball action at the Pitt Center on Saturday afternoon.

“I just thought that our effort, focus, and intensity weren't there in the first half,” said SFU coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl. “We played a different combination in the second half and I thought they played hard. Some of those guys aren't the most skilled, but they played with heart and effort, and that's what we need right now.”

Junior Taryn Adamski (Valencia, Pa./Mars) (Valencia, Pa./Mars) and sophomore Janie Killian (Verona, Pa./Penn Hills) (Verona, Pa./Penn Hills) came out in the second half alongside starters Emily Bollinger (Westminster, Md./Westminster) (Westminster, Md./Westminster), Britney Hodges (Dayton, Ohio/Mount de Chantal) (Dayton, Ohio/Mount de Chantal Academy), and Allison Daly (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) to help lead an effort that allowed the Flash to stand toe-to-toe with the Pioneers.

The difference from half to half was noticeable, to say the least.

Saint Francis' shooting percentage rose from 27 in the first half to 38 in the second, for a game total 31.9 percent. The Flash pulled down 19 boards in the second stanza, compared to just 11 in the first half. And the most obvious difference: the mere five-point scoring differential in the final period.

“We have several games [coming up] that we can win. The standings are so close in the bottom half of the league and we have to go for it at this point. It's going to take heart and hustle and showing a little pride -- we're just looking for some consistency in those areas on a day-to-day basis.”

Killian and Hodges led the Flash with 12 points a piece. The dozen points scored by Killian was a new career high.

Sacred Heart's Stephanie Ryan led both teams with 15 points.

Saint Francis returns to action on Monday when they visit St. Francis College. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m.