LORETTO, Pa. (Dec. 6, 2014) – The Saint Francis University women's basketball team nearly completed an 18-point comeback on Saturday evening, but came up just short and lost to George Mason, 86-77 inside DeGol Arena in the latter portion of the rare non-conference  doubleheader.

The Red Flash (0-6) went on a late 18-4 run to get within four points with 3:47 to play and the momentum shifted in their favor. The Patriots (5-4) looked rattled with SFU's backcourt press, which forced three consecutive turnovers, but they kept their composure and didn't let the Flash get within more than three. SFU struggled shooting in the first half and thus trailed 47-34 at the break.

"We struggled shooting in the first half and we put them on the free throw line too much during the game," said head coach Joe Haigh. "However, I was very happy with how we came back during the late run in the second half; it shows our team's true heart."

Alexa Hayward (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) led the Red Flash in scoring for the sixth game in a row as she dropped 31 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out seven assists. She also converted on all 10 free throw attempts.

Freshman Maya Wynn (Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh) scored a career-high 15 points, with nine coming from downtown. Shaqeia Stokes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) led the team in rebounding with eight, including four on the offensive glass.

Corissa Archer (Clermont, Fla./East Ridge) scored eight points for SFU, while Cydney Smith (Port Tobacco, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) added six. Brooklyn Taylor (Greenville, Pa./Greenville) posted six rebounds off the bench. Hope Phillips (Marlton, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep) recorded four points and three rebounds in her first start of the season.

Saint Francis had just seven turnovers in the game, a season-low, while forcing 20 from the Patriots.

Saint Francis U returns to action next weekend in a home game at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown as Bowling Green visits for a 2 p.m. contest. The Flash lost to the Eagles on the road in 2013-14, 81-66.