FULL PREGAME RELEASE (pdf)

Saint Francis makes the 90-minute trek from Smithfield, R.I. to New Britain, Conn. to close out its first week of Northeast Conference play against Central Connecticut Saturday.  Both teams dropped their conference openers on Thursday.

This is the 16th meeting between the two programs at Detrick Gymnasium, with the Blue Devils dominating on its home floor to the tune of 12-3.  The Red Flash last won in New Britain on Feb. 13, 2010.

Saint Francis and CCSU split their two games last season.  Behind a monster 16-point, 25-rebound performance by Earl Brown (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter), the Frankies defeated the Blue Devils, 67-60, in Loretto on Jan. 3, 2012.  Central Connecticut needed double OT to turn back Saint Francis, 84-81, in the teams' meeting last February.

The Blue Devils, who fell 88-59 to NEC-favorite Wagner last time out, will be without the services of leading scored Kyle Vinales (17.4 ppg).  A 2013 NEC first team selection, Vinales is out indefinitely with an injury.

The Red Flash are back in action on Thursday when it visits Robert Morris.