BOX SCORE KENT, Ohio (Dec. 20, 2012) – A slow start on offense and an uncharacteristically sloppy night on both ends of the floor sent Saint Francis U to a, 77-48, setback at Kent State on Thursday night.

The Red Flash committed 18 turnovers in the contest, which the Mid-American Conference Golden Flashes converted into 29 points.  Entering the contest, Saint Francis ranked among the national leaders in taking care of the ball – its 13 turnovers per game marked the 24th lowest average in NCAA Division I.

KSU shot 51% (23-of-45) from the floor led by Chris Evans, who tossed in 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds.  Kris Brewer was the Golden Flashes' only other double-digit scorer with 13.

Earl Brown (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) paced Saint Francis with a season-high 15 points on a 5-of-8 night from the field and a 7-of-8 showing from the free throw line.  Umar Shannon (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City) chipped in 12 points and Ronnie Drinnon (Jamestown, Ohio/Greenview) led the Flash with seven boards.

Saint Francis shot 33.3% (16-of-48) from the floor, but held a 33-30 edge on the boards.

The Golden Flashes jumped out to an early 10-0 lead before Storm Stanley (Lambertville, Mich./St. Francis de Sales) sank one of two free throws to get the Flash on the board at the just over three minutes into the game.  However, the wait would be longer for SFU's first field goal of the night.

With 9:39 to play in the opening period, an Ollie Jackson (Dallas, Texas/Pinkston ) layup gave the Red Flash its first offense from the floor.  The score sparked a 90-second six-point Red Flash run that cut the Kent State lead to 23-7.

Saint Francis outscored the Golden Flashes 17-to-11 down the stretch in the opening period, to go into the locker room down 34-18.