BOX SCORE

AKRON, Ohio (Nov. 22, 2011) – After a pair of lackluster games on the road, the Saint Francis women's basketball team seemed poised to claim its first win of the season in the waning moments of regulation at Akron on Tuesday.  As it turned out, the Red Flash would earn that win but it'd need a wild finish in overtime to clinch the, 80-79, victory.

An Alexa Hayward (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) 3-pointer with 1:58 to go put the Red Flash up, 74-70, but a layup and a pair of free throws by the Zips' Rachel Tecca tied things up with seven seconds to play to force overtime.

Tecca once again tied the game, this time at 78-78 with nine seconds to play in the extra frame.  Thanks to a Flash foul on the play, she was also sent to the line for a chance to put her team up – and she did.

Down to a last-gasp possession, Alli Williams (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) was fouled by Akron's Kacie Cassell as she crossed mid-court and was sent to the line for a 1-and-1.  Williams, who scored a game-high 25 points on the night, sank them both to set the final score.

“We got the ball to Alli Williams (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) and she was our 'go to' player at that time,” said head coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl.  “She stepped up big and redeemed herself from some previous games on the foul line.  She's got to be a 'go to' player; she's got to have that mentality.”

In a game that featured 11 lead changes and 14 ties, the Flash shot a solid 40.9 percent from the field and shot at an identical clip from 3-point range.  SFU's 17-for-19 showing from the free throw line was easily a season-best. 

“After Syracuse we talked about heart and passion,” said Robinson Fruchtl.  “I think we really showed that tonight and got it done.  This was a really good win for us – hopefully it's a turning point.”

Along with Williams, three other Saint Francis players scored in double figures.  Nickia Gibbs (Greenbelt, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) tied her career-high of 13 for the second time in three games and Kelley Doogan (Claymont, Del./Ursuline Academy) tossed in a career-best 14.  Junior Rhonda Watts (Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) posted 11 points.  Williams and Gibbs each grabbed eight boards.

Tecca paced the Zips with 19 points and nine rebounds.  Akron shot 35.8 percent from the floor but converted on only 25 of their 35 trips to the line.

Saint Francis welcomes Bucknell to DeGol Arena on Sunday to open a four-game home stand.  Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.