BOX SCORE LORETTO, Pa.  (Dec. 1, 2012) – The Saint Francis University women's basketball team fell for just the second time this season, Saturday against Saint Joseph's, 61-44.
 
The Red Flash (4-2, 0-0) put together a strong first half and only trailed by two at the intermission, but the Hawks (4-2, 0-0) opened the second half on a strong run and SFU could not recover. Chatilla Van Grinsven posted a huge game for Saint Joseph's with 18 points and 21 rebounds to lead all players. The Red Flash got 11 points from Kelley Doogan (Claymont, Del./Ursuline Academy) and 10 points and nine rebounds from Alli Williams (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle), but it was not enough to dodge the first SFU home loss of the season. The Flash were limited to just 20.7-percent (6-for-29) in the second half and just 25.4-percent (15-for-59) for the game.    
 
“It was a very physical game and we have to learn to respond better it that style of game,” head coach Joe Haigh said. “We have to learn from this and learn to shoot the ball better in games like these. I am pleased with our defending for the most part, but we need 40 minutes of good defense, not 30 like we got today.”
 
The Red Flash opened up the second half with a pair of baskets, but Saint Joseph's scored the next 15 points to push the lead to 41-28. Excellent shooting powered the run for the Hawks as they connected on eight of their first 16 shots to start the second half. Saint Francis never recovered from the big run by the Hawks and Flash were limited to just six field goals and 20.7-percent (6-for-29) shooting in the second half.   
 
Van Grinsven dominated the first half for Saint Joseph's posting 12 rebounds and six points while the Flash got a boost from Doogan, who pitched in 11 off the bench. The Flash needed the strong effort from the senior as teammate Williams struggled from the field, going 1-for-9 in the first frame. The Hawks were held to just 32.1-percent (9-for28) shooting, but SFU also struggled going just 9-for-30 (30-percent) from the field.  
 
The Red Flash returns to action Wednesday as they travel to in-state rival Duquesne for an 11 a.m. tipoff.
 
GAME NOTES
- Alli Williams (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) struggled from the field going just 2-for-17 from the field with just 10 points and nine rebounds, but the junior did pick up six steals.
 
- No Saint Francis starter connected on more than two field goals in the game. Kelley Doogan (Claymont, Del./Ursuline Academy) was the only player for SFU to make more than two field goals.
 
- The 44 points are the fewest for the Flash in a game since falling on the road to Marquette to open the 2009-10 season, 74-38.   
 
- After scoring the first two baskets of the first half, Saint Francis went from the 18:56 mark to the 11:53 mark without a basket.