GAINESVILLE, FLA- Jessica Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) led four players in double figures but Eastern Kentucky scored 10 of the game's final 14 points in an 88-82 setback at the Gator Holiday Classic hosted by the University of Florida.

Both teams shot the ball incredibly well from the floor with the Flash sinking 17 threes on Monday afternoon and Eastern Kentucky shooting 54 percent from the field. The hot shooting led to a game that saw five ties and 12 lead changes over 40 minutes. The 17 threes are the most in a game for Saint Francis since they hit 17 against Fairleigh Dickinson on February 25, 2013 in a 100-89 victory.

"We had the game tied with three minutes left and it was a few of our decisions down the stretch that cost us," coach Joe Haigh said. "We have to improve our communication and our decision making in these close games. Give EKU a lot of credit they have two special players that made plays for them down the stretch."

Those two players were Shameeka Murray who finished with 34 points and Jalen O'Bannon who had 18 including four big points in the final minutes.

The first ten minutes was a tale of two quarters as EKU controlled the tempo early to run out to a 13-3 lead. But the Red Flash stormed back, scoring the next 10 points to tie the game including back-to-back threes by Halee Adams (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) and Kovatch. The threes would keep falling in the final five minutes of the quarter, SFU finished the first frame 7-9 from deep en route to a 30-19 advantage after the first quarter.

"I though we defended well for most of the game,"Haigh said. "That helped us get our offense going, but in stages we fouled too much and you're not going to win if you keep putting the opposition on the line."

EKU was 14-22 from the line, compared to just 5-5 for Saint Francis. The Colonels got back into the game from the foul line in the second quarter, as SFU put them in the bonus just two minutes into the frame. EKU went 7-8 from the line in the second, also hitting four three pointers while out scoring SFU 25-12. A Kovatch three and a pair of runners in the lane by Samiah Bethel (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) helped the Red Flash keep pace as they trailed by just two, 44-42 at the half.

The teams traded runs in the third quarter with the lead changing four times in the first five minutes of play. EKU got a bit of a run going, hitting two straight from distance to grab a seven-point lead. However, Aisha Brock (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) and Katie Reese (Boonton Township, N.J./Mountain Lakes) scored off turnovers to cut into the Colonel lead, it would be 69-66 at the end of three.

The Red Flash quickly tied the game on a Brock three and would take a one-point lead three minutes into the fourth on a pair of Katie Reese (Boonton Township, N.J./Mountain Lakes) free throws. Reese ended the day with 13 points and four assists. Four-straight points by the Colonels gave EKU a 78-75 lead before Brock's sixth three of the day tied the score at 78, forcing an EKU timeout.

After a Kovatch lay-in gave the Flash an 80-78 lead, EKU responded with a three to take the lead for good. O'Bannon and Murray scored five-straight points as the Flash faltered on their final few possessions.

"It is disappointing when you shoot and defend well and still come up short," Haigh said. "We go over every play, every decision in the film room and continue to learn how to close out games."

Aisha Brock (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) was named to the All-Tournament team after another fine performance. The senior had 20 points five rebounds and four assists on Monday. Kovatch had 22 points to go with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Reese's 13 and Adams' 10 points gave SFU four in double figures. Brielle Ward (Baltimore, Md./Western (Hampton U)) had five rebounds to lead the Flash before fouling out. EKU led 38-29 in rebounds but just 14-10 in second-chance points. The Colonel also led 36-24 in the paint while the Flash owned a 22-16 edge off the bench.

The tough loss sends the Flash to 2-9 on the year. The team will take the rest of the week off for the holidays before a three-game home stand. First up are the Yellowjackets of West Virginia State on Tuesday the 29th. Tip time is set for 7 p.m..