BOX SCORE

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Jan. 19, 2012) – The Saint Francis men's basketball team fell on the road Thursday to Monmouth, 68-50.
 
The Red Flash (4-14, 3-4) could not stop a strong second half charge from the Hawks (4-16, 2-5) and fell for the 11th consecutive time on the road. Scott Eatherton (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) poured in 19 points and posted a career-high 14 rebounds for his third double-double of the season but the Red Flash bench got outscored 32-4. Monmouth used a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures to earn the victory. Ollie Jackson (Dallas, Texas/Pinkston ) posted 11 for SFU in just eighth start of the season but it was not enough to rescue the Red Flash.  
 
The game started at a quick pace with each team trying to make things happen in transition, without Ritter in the game due to an injury, SFU was forced into three early turnovers. The Hawks generated offense off the SFU mistakes as Monmouth scored 10 of its first 11 off Red Flash turnovers. The Red Flash racked up 14 first half turnovers and Monmouth used those to generate half its points in the first frame. The Red Flash stayed in game with tough defense and entered the locker room down just one, 24-23.
 
After the teams traded baskets to start the half, Monmouth went on a 7-0 run to open up an eight point advantage, the largest by neither team at that point. The Red Flash countered with a small lineup, which generated easy looks for Jackson, who buried a pair of 3-point baskets. Monmouth returned fire with a 12-2 run and put the Red Flash into a deeper hole.
 
The Red Flash chipped into the lead using tough defense but SFU continued to struggle offensively. Saint Francis closed the gap to just nine but Monmouth scored back-to-back 3-point possessions. The Flash tried to extend the game late by fouling but SFU just could not get its offense going.    
 
SFU continues its weekend road trip through New Jersey Saturday with a 2 p.m. tipoff against Fairleigh Dickinson.
 
GAME NOTES
- Kameron Ritter was injured on the first play of the game, he did not return until the 15:13 mark of the first.
 
- Ollie Jackson (Dallas, Texas/Pinkston ) posted his fourth double-digit scoring performance of his freshman season. It was the first for the Dallas, Texas native since Dec. 10 against American.
 
- Scott Eatherton (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) posted his third double-double of the season Thursday and a career high 13 rebounds.
 
- Eatherton also tallied a career-high in blocks with five including one on a dunk attempt from a Hawk.
 
- The Saint Francis starting five outscored the Monmouth starters 46-36.
 
- Jon Taylor (Bowie, Md./Montgomery College-Germantown) scored in double-figured for the second time in three games after going seven games without hitting double digits.
 
- The Red Flash bench posted its worse performance of the season scoring just four points and all of those came with less than a minute remaining in regulation.
 
- Anthony Ervin (Chesterfield, Va./Fork Union Military Academy) fouled out for the first time this season with 1:38 left in regulation.
 
- For just the third time in four seasons under head coach Don Friday, SFU ended the game tied in rebounds with its opponent.
 
- The Red Flash posted a season high 23 turnovers.