WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Feb. 21, 2011) – Monmouth used a staunch defensive effort while taking advantage of a lackluster Saint Francis defensive outing to down the Red Flash 60-51 on Monday night at the Multipurpose Activities Center.

The Flash registered their second-lowest offensive output of the season, despite shooting at a 41.2 percent (21-of-51) clip from the floor, as they lost consecutive Northeast Conference road games for just the third time over the past three seasons.

“We didn't play defense, once again,” said SFU coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl. “We gave up threes, we gave up layups, didn't rotate – it's just very disappointing. “

The Red Flash (11-17; 12-4 NEC) also committed a season-high-tying 25 turnovers, which the Hawks (19-8; 11-5 NEC) converted into 22 points.

Monmouth shot 24-for-54 (44.4 percent) from the field on the evening, including 6-for-16 from behind the arc.

After trailing for nearly the entire first half, Saint Francis built momentum toward the end of the period to gain their first lead of the game, 25-24, on a Samantha Leach (Mount Sterling, Ohio/Miami Trace) layup at the 1:01 mark. A Brittany Lilley (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) jumper 46 seconds later, lifted the Flash to a three point edge to enter the intermission.

Any good vibes the Flash were feeling at the half were quickly erased as the Hawks opened the second half with a 13-to-2 run to grab the lead for good.

Lilley ended up leading the Flash offense with 14 points, but the junior point guard dished out only one assist and committed six turnovers. Leach was held to a single-digit point total for just the second time in 28 games, tossing in six points.

“Monmouth did a good job [on Sam] but other kids have to step up,” said Robinson Fruchtl. “We're going to see a lot of that in the playoffs. I mean, I would double-team her, too.”

Allison Daly (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) grabbed a game-high tying eight boards to go along with eight points.

The Hawks' Erin Rooney and Alexis Canady each tallied 14 points.

Despite the loss, Saint Francis remains in the driver's seat to clinch home-court advantage in the upcoming NEC Tournament although their margin for error has been reduced to zero.

The Red Flash must win each of their remaining games – both at home – beginning with a 3 p.m. date with Wagner on Saturday. SFU wraps up the regular season by hosting Mount St. Mary's on Monday.