STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (Jan. 8, 2011) – Saint Francis University used solid defense and rebounding – and chipped in just enough offense – to stave off a determined Wagner team, 65-63, in Northeast Conference women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Flash racked up 14 steals and held the Seahawks (7-7; 0-3 NEC) to 31.8 percent (14-for-22) shooting in the second half to improve to 3-0 in the NEC for the first time since the 2004-05 season. The victory was also SFU's 10 in a row at the Spiro Sports Center.

“Our kids just hung tough,” said Saint Francis head coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl. “We had people with some tough days. Brittany Lilley (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) struggled a little bit here and there and you've just got to keep fighting through it. That's all.”

Samantha Leach (Mount Sterling, Ohio/Miami Trace) scored a game-high 17 points in the back-and-fourth contest that featured four ties and 15 lead changes while Lilley overcame a 5-for-19 shooting day to score 12 points.

For the second consecutive game, it came down to the final possession for Saint Francis. And, once again, the Flash defense held after an inbounds play and a desperation shot fell harmlessly to the floor as the final horn sounded.

For the first time this season, two Saint Francis players posted double-digit rebound totals in the same game in helping the Flash to a 54-to-41 advantage on the boards. Allison Smith (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) pulled in a game-high 13 with Shené Fleming (Dayton, Ohio, Chaminade-Julienne) notching 10.

“On the rebounds side we had a big advantage,” said Robinson Fruchtl. “That was a big effort for us,”

“I think Allison Smith (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) can play like this in every game. Hopefully, this was a breakout game for her.”

Wagner had three players score in double figures led by Megan Mahoney who tossed in 13.

The Seahawks shot nearly 50 percent from the field in the first half while the Flash struggled to a 32.5 percent (13-for-40) period, giving Wagner a 31-30 halftime lead.

Saint Francis (8-7; 3-0 NEC) rebounded to shoot a respectable 49.2 percent (12-for-28) in the second half to bring its percentage up to 36.8 for the game but the decision came down to the final seconds.

“We felt like we were getting better looks in the second half,” said Robinson Fruchtl. “I think Wagner got a little tired because that was a track meet in the first half.”

Saint Francis wraps up its eight-game road trip on Monday when it visits Mount St. Mary's for a 7 p.m. contest.