BOX SCORE FORT MYERS, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2013) – The Saint Francis University women's basketball team outscored Florida Gulf Coast in the second half, but fell on the road, 75-68, on Friday evening inside Alico Arena.

Alexa Hayward (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) led the way for the Red Flash (2-7), the junior dropped 20 points after converting on six three-pointers. Alli Williams (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) also added 15 points and eight rebounds for SFU. The Eagles (6-4) saw four different players record double-figures in scoring, Sarah Hansen and Jenna Cobb each posted 17.

The Red Flash struggled offensively in the beginning of the first half and thus Florida Gulf Coast took an early lead which was extended to as much as 15 with 6:53 to play.

SFU was able to convert on a few three-pointers as Alexa Hayward (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) knocked down two and Bridget Murphy (Bethlehem, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) added one to narrow the FGCU lead. The Eagles got a last second lay-up from Kaneisha Atwater and took a 38-28 lead into halftime.

Saint Francis came out of the break firing on all cylinders and took its first lead of the game at 42-41 after another triple from Alexa Hayward (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk). The Red Flash extended it to a 16-3 run to begin the second period.

Both teams battled tough as there were six lead changes in the remainder of the half, with FGCU taking the largest lead of the period of nine with under two to play. The Eagles converted on free throws late in the game and denied a final Saint Francis push.

SFU out-rebounded FGCU, 53-48, but lost the turnover battle, 25-19.

Bridget Murphy (Bethlehem, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds, while Rebecca Keegan (Jessup, Pa./Valley View) posted six points and eight rebounds.

Saint Francis returns to action tomorrow against Tulane at 4:30 p.m. in the second day of the Florida Gulf Coast Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites Classic.