Women's Hoops Looks to Stay Hot Hosting Mount Saint Mary's

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LORETTO, PA- Coming off a road sweep in Brooklyn, the Saint Francis women's basketball team looks to run their win streak to three when they host the Mount Saint Mary's Mountaineers on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. in DeGol Arena.

ABOUT THE FLASH
Saint Francis picked up two big and nearly identical wins at LIU and St. Francis Brooklyn last weekend to move to 3-1 in Northeast Conference play. On Saturday, the Flash lead for all but 90 seconds in a 84-75 victory over the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds. Jess Kovatch had a game high 30 points en route to her eight-straight NEC Rookie of the Week and second Player of the Week award. Samiah Bethel (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) headlined a defense that forced 27 Blackbird turnovers, leading to 31 points. Bethel led the team with four steals on Saturday. Against the Terriers, the Flash never trailed from midway through the first quarter on in a 83-76 victory over St. Francis Brooklyn. Kovatch dropped 26 points on the Terriers on Monday, leading three players in double figures. The Flash withstood a late SFBK charge in the fourth, using a clutch Halee Adams (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) three to put the game away. Adams had 16 points in the victory.

A victory on Saturday would move the Flash to 4-1 in the Northeast Conference for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Saint Francis comes into the match-up ranked first in the NEC in several categories including: blocks per game (4.72), assists per game (15.83), steals per game (10.83), and is second in turnover margin (+1.6 per game).

ABOUT THE MOUNTAINEERS
The Mount comes into the game at 2-2 in NEC play and 4-11 overall. The Mountaineers defeated St. Francis Brooklyn and Central Connecticut while losing to LIU Brooklyn and Bryant. The Flash will have to find an answer for Alexis Carter who leads the team with 13 points per game. The Mount relies on Carter and Jessica Harris who averages nearly 10 points per game, combined the two players amount for 40 percent of the team's average points. Mount Saint Mary's averages 55 points per game and relies on high percentage shots, shooting 38.1 percent from the field, a mark that is identical to the Flash. However, Mount Saint Mary's shoots just 28 percent from three point range and averages less than five threes per game (compared to 10 for SFU). Carter and Harris also lead the Mountaineers in rebounding, each averaging around six boards per game.

SIDELINE CANCER
Saturday will be Sideline Cancer day, helping to raise awareness for Sideline Cancer, an organizational branch of the Greg and Cathy Griffith Family Foundation out of Holidaysburg, PA. (From the Griffith Foundation): The Greg and Cathy Griffith Family Foundation is a foundation focusing on cancer awareness; connecting patients, families and communities; offering hope; and funding a cure. The foundation began after Greg Griffith was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic and liver cancer and passed away after losing his 19-month battle. Cathy Griffith, his wife and high school sweetheart, along with their two sons continue the foundation, awareness and advocacy. Saturday marks the kick-off to Saint Francis University's chapter with 50/50 raffle proceeds going towards Sideline Cancer. The women's team will wear Sideline Cancer shirts as part of their warm-up uniform and shirts will be on sale during the game. For more information on Sideline Cancer, please click here.

ABOUT THE MATCH-UP
The two teams split their two meeting last season, with each holding serve on their home court. The Flash won the regular-season finale in Loretto 90-87 on March second, while falling 74-64 in OT in Emmitsburg. All-time, SFU leads the series 31-28. Coach Joe Haigh is 4-2 all-time against the Mount while Mountaineers coach Bryan Whitten is 4-10 all-time against the Flash.

LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Francis stays at home for Monday night's contest against Fairleigh Dickinson. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. from DeGol Arena.

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Players Mentioned

#44 Halee Adams: G; 5' 8"; Redshirt Sophomore

#50 Samiah Bethel: G; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#44 Halee Adams
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Sophomore
: G

#50 Samiah Bethel
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

Players Mentioned

#44 Halee Adams

#50 Samiah Bethel

Players Mentioned

#44 Halee Adams

#50 Samiah Bethel