BOX SCORE

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (Feb. 4, 2012) – The Saint Francis University men's basketball team fell to the fast pace of the Wagner Seahawks Saturday, 72-54.
 
The Red Flash (5-18, 4-8) got their fifth double-double of the season from Scott Eatherton (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) but it was no enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Seahawks (19-4, 10-2). Wagner saw four players score in double figures led by Josh Thompson and Jonathon Williams, who each tallied 11. Stephon Whyatt (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep), who returned to the starting lineup, tallied 10 to go along with 10 from Anthony Ervin (Chesterfield, Va./Fork Union Military Academy) but it was not enough for SFU.
 
Wagner pushed the pace early and often, but both teams struggled in the first half shooting the basketball. The Red Flash tallied just two points over the first eight and half minutes. Strong SFU defense kept the game close until the Red Flash jump started their offense. Wagner found themselves in a tight game at the 8:21 mark of the first half after Tony Peters (Roselle, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) connected on a layup to cut the Wagner advantage to just seven. The Seahawks responded with a 19-9 run to close the half and took a 39-22 lead into the locker room. Ervin led SFU in scoring with eight first half points as Eatherton was once again slowed by foul trouble and had just four in the first frame.
 
 In the second half, the fast pace and constant pressure continued to wear down the Flash, who dressed just nine players, while Wagner used 10 in its regular rotation and 12 in the game. Eatherton used his size and experience advantage inside on Seahawk freshman Mario Moody and tallied 11 second half points. The Flash kept fighting but just could not cut into the Wagner advantage.  

The Red Flash return to action next Wednesday when Robert Morris travel to Degol Arena for a 7 p.m. tipoff. The contest is part of the Northeast Conference's rivalry week.
 
GAME NOTES
- Scott Eatherton (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) posted his fifth double-double of the season. All of the sophomore double-doubles have come on the road.
 
- SFU posted the most rebounds as a team since Jan. 19 at Monmouth but were still out rebounded 50-35.
 
- Wagner used its superior numbers to its full advantage as the Seahawk bench outscored the Red Flash bench 36-9.
 
- The Red Flash return home for three of their next four games. It will be the most home games SFU has played in a 10 day span since December.
 
- Stephon Whyatt (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) tallied double-figures for the third time in four contests after just five double-digit efforts in his first 19 games.