BOX SCORE BRONX, N.Y. (Nov. 8, 2013) – Earl Brown (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) and Stephon Mosley (Harlem, N.Y./Seton Hall Prep) led the charge for the Saint Francis U men's basketball team with a combined 30 points as they opened up the season with a, 87-67, setback to the Fordham University Rams.

The Red Flash struck first in front of a packed house at the Rose Hill Gym off a three from Mosley. 

"I thought we started out the first half with focus and some emotion," said head coach Rob Krimmel. "The energy and the tempo of the game late in the second half got away from us." The guys didn't play to there strengths and then we could not get a stop."

Following the first media timeout the Frankies hit a slump allowing Fordham to build a slight, 14-10, lead until Stephon Whyatt (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) connected on a jumper from Brown sparking a 5-0 run for Saint Francis.

As the first half drew to a close Fordham used SFU's sloppy positions to separate themselves from Saint Francis on a lengthy, 28-8, run.

Fordham controlled the free-throw battle 10-to-6 for the first twenty minutes, while SFU committed 12 fouls to the Rams' eight. The Rams shot a hefty 53-percent from the field, while Saint Francis connected on 29-percent, finding themselves down, 45-27, at the first break.

The Red Flash got off to a slow start in the second half allowing open looks that lead to easy Fordham buckets. 

Three minutes into the final half the Rams continued to increase their lead forcing the visiting Flash to take a 30-second timeout. 

Saint Francis traded buckets with Fordham throughout the second half as the 20-point Ram lead proved to be much for the Frankies to handle. 

"Give Fordham credit, they have a good explosive guard in Severe and he did a great job giving them momentum, said coach Krimmel. "I was pleased with the way we battled in the second half." I thought we responded to the adjustments that we made, but you can't come into a environment like this in your first game and play out of your element."

The Rams finished the day shooting 31-of-65 from the field, while SFU shot 20-of-56. The Rams posted an impressive 46-percent from beyond the arch, whereas the Red and White mustered 23-percent.

Four Fordham players marked double digits performances, with freshman Jon Severe leading the way with a game-high 28 points off 60-percentage from the field.

Brown led the Flash with 16 points off a deadly 6-for-7 performance from the field, as Mosley matched Brown's 6-for-7 showing, but from the stripe, finishing the contest with 14 points.

SFU returns to action Monday at 7 p.m. when it hosts Navy in Johnstown, Pa.