BOX SCORE LORETTO, Pa. (Jan. 4, 2014) – Earl Brown (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds but it wasn't enough to push Saint Francis U past New Jersey Institute of Technology on Saturday at DeGol Arena.  The Red Flash fell to the Highlanders 64-56.

In addition to Brown, junior Ollie Jackson (Dallas, Texas/Pinkston ) chipped in 12 points but the rest of the SFU lineup accounted for only 13 points as the Flash closed out its non-conference slate.

"Teams are going to look at Earl's numbers and key in on him," said Saint Francis coach Rob Krimmel. "We need some guys to step up and start making a shot or two when that happens.  We have guys who can make shots – it's a consistency thing now for them."

Saint Francis held a 31-26 lead at the intermission but NJIT quickly erased the margin in the second period.

The Highlanders' Damon Lynn hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 31 with 18:02 remaining. Ky Howard made one of two free throws on the next offensive series to give NJIT a 32-31 lead and the Highlanders led the rest of the way.

The Highlanders led by as much as eight when Saint Francis (2-11) had a 17-10 run to pull within one, 54-53 with 2:44 to play. NJIT closed with a 10-3 run, with Lynn scoring four points during the span.

Lynn was 5 of 13 from the field, and scored four from three-point range on his way to a team-high 18 points.  NJIT (7-10) snapped a six-game losing streak.

The Frankies had their chances in the second half but went cold from 3-point range, going just 2 for 11 in the frame.  SFU hit on four 3-point field goals in the first half.

"We got a few wide-open looks that we just didn't know down and we got a little tentative after that," Krimmel said.  "You miss that first one, then a second one and it becomes a mental thing after that."

Saint Francis visits Bryant to open Northeast Conference play on Thursday.