NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Feb. 23, 2015) – The Saint Francis University women's basketball team was leading by five at halftime, but struggled in the second half and fell on the road, 72-59, to Central Connecticut on Monday night.

SFU was outscored 41-23 in the second period and even though they held a lead for the entire first half it could not recover. Alexa Hayward (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) had an unbelievable first frame as she scored 22 points, but the Blue Devils keyed in on her defensively in half two and only allowed her one basket. Aisha Brock (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) was the other player in double-figures for Saint Francis U as the junior dropped 14 points. Brock also tied a career-high with nine rebounds, six of which came on the offensive end.

Saint Francis took control in the early stages of the first half, picking up where they last left against CCSU from last Monday as it led 9-4 not even three minutes in. Brock kept several key early possessions alive for the Flash as she registered four offensive rebounds in the period. SFU's lead extended to 12 at the 8:50 mark after a tough lay-in was converted by Samiah Bethel (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy).

It was right about then that Hayward stole the show as the senior captain buried four consecutive triples over a three minute span. SFU needed every point as they fought off a 9-0 run that Central Connecticut went on. Hayward finished the period with 22 points, made five shots from beyond the arc, and was the lone player on either team in double-figures at the break.

Central Connecticut came out of halftime and quickly erased SFU's five-point lead, the game was tied at 39 apiece after an 8-3 CCSU run to start the period. The Blue Devils took their first lead since the opening basket of the game at the 11:16 mark of the second half, but Adila Gathers (Buffalo, N.Y./Tapestry Charter) quickly responded for SFU with a lay-in and was fouled.

CCSU then went on a 7-0 run and took a six-point lead (50-44) with about eight minutes to play. Saint Francis then had a five-minute scoring drought, but managed to stay within nine points. The Blue Devils extended their lead to as much as 16 and the Flash could not battle back.

Corissa Archer (Clermont, Fla./East Ridge) posted five points and five rebounds in the start for SFU. Bethel finished with four points and a pair of steals off the bench for the Red Flash. SFU held the rebounding advantage, 35-34, but was outscored in bench points, 25-9.

Saint Francis will continue its final regular season road trip as it travels to Moon Township, Pa. to face Robert Morris (14-12, 12-3 NEC) at 1 p.m.