LORETTO, Pa. (Nov. 28, 2010) – The Red Flash kicked up the intensity in the second half after a lackluster start in the Saint Francis University women's basketball team's 77-76 come-from-behind victory over Coppin State at DeGol Arena.

The Flash, who improved to 2-4 on the season, trailed 35-30 at the intermission thanks in part to a 53.3 percent shooting half from Coppin State and a 23-to-13 Eagles' advantage on the boards.

Saint Francis was able to stay in the game early thanks to 16 CSU turnovers, which the Flash converted into 18 points.

"I thought we didn't play particularly well that first half," said SFU head coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl. "We didn't shoot the ball well and we got down on the boards again. For a stretch it looked like we were going to pull ahead and then we just let them right back in the game and, obviously, they had a little momentum going in at halftime."

That momentum would quickly take a turn for the Red & White, who were celebrating their home opener.

Saint Francis opened up the second half on fire, outscoring the Eagles 12-to-5 in the opening minutes keyed by a pair of Allison Daly (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) three-pointers.

CSU battled back to take a six-point lead with 11:20 to go but Samantha Leach (Mount Sterling, Ohio/Miami Trace) (Mount Sterling, Ohio/Miami Trace) would have none of it. The senior captain keyed an 11-0 Red Flash run by nailing three treys to give Saint Francis the lead for good.

"We came out and had a great start to the second half," said Robinson Fruchtl. "That's what you want to do. Our kids were fired up and at the same time they were relaxed. They knew they could do it and they found the right people."

"Ally hit some shots early on and then Sam got into a rhythm. Our kids are starting to gain some confidence."

Not only were the Red Flash clicking on offense, but the edge on the boards also tipped in favor of SFU to the tune of 24-to-22 in the second period. The Eagles were still able to out-rebound the Flash on the afternoon, 45-37.

"The second half was big," said Robinson Fruchtl of her team's surge in the second half. "We had five offensive boards in that first half and in the second we had 11. Those are just back-breakers and I think we showed a lot of effort and hustle. I'm very proud of them for really picking up the intensity."

In the end Leach racked up game-high 20 points, while Kyra Coleman paced CSU with 16.

Also of note for the Red Flash, sophomore Shené Fleming (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) established new career highs of 15 points and 11 rebound to notch her first collegiate double-double. Brittany Lilley (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) finished an assist shy of her first double-double of the year, while tossing in 14 points.

Daly finished with 12 points.

Saint Francis returns to action on Wednesday when they welcome Pittsburgh (2-2) for a 7 p.m. contest.