BROOKLYN, N.Y.- Jessica Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) recorded her fifth 30-plus point effort and the Red Flash defense led by Samiah Bethel (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy)'s three steals turned 27 LIU turnovers into 31 points in a 84-75 road win on Saturday at the Steinberg Wellness Center.

The Red Flash led for all but 1:19 on Saturday, but the Blackbirds did not make it easy on the Flash. LIU whittled a 17-point Red Flash lead down to five before Kovatch scored the final five points of the contest to seal the victory.

"I thought she (Kovatch) adjusted well today," coach Joe Haigh said. "She's a nice luxury to have, a scorer like that, but LIU got physical with her today, and she responded."

Saint Francis came into the game forcing the most turnovers in the contest and that showed on Saturday. The SFU defense caused 27 turnovers including 15 steals as their half-court trapping defense caused fits all game long.

"This was one of our best defensive efforts across the board today," Haigh added. "We knew the trap could speed them up and force some things, but credit our post players, they hung tough against attacking guards and matched up on them all day."

Cydney Smith (Port Tobacco, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) and Brielle Ward (Baltimore, Md./Western (Hampton U)) combined for 15 points, eight rebounds and a block. A big three from Smith gave SFU a 37-27 lead at the half. Smith finished with nine points, three rebounds and a block.

The Blackbirds lone lead of the game came after hitting a three on the opening possesion. The Flash responded with a jumper from Kovatch and a driving lay-up by Reese. SFU would build the lead to six and hold it throughout the quarter. A traditional three-point play by Reese extended the lead out to seven at 21-14 and a late LIU bucket sent the Flash into the first quarter break up 21-16.

The Red Flash continued to pressure and attack in the second quarter. Samiah Bethel (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) forced a turnover, grabbed a rebound and dished out an assist to Kovatch during a run that saw SFU build their first double-digit lead of the game at 27-17. Bethel finished with four points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals on the day.

"Samiah had one of her best games today," Haigh said. "Her and Aisha (Brock) run the top of that trap well and her athleticism allowed her to stay with LIU's quick gaurds."

The lead would grow to as many as 15 in the second quarter before a late Blackbird run cut the lead back down to nine. Smith's late three re-established the double-digit lead and gave the Flash a 37-27 lead at the break.

LIU started the second-half strong, scoring five-straight points to cut the lead to five. The Flash would respond to the Blackbird run, a trend that carried on all game long. Buckets by Brock, Smith and a three from Reese grew the lead back out to 12 at 50-38. The Blackbirds would not get any closer than seven during the quarter as the teams traded baskets. A late driving lay-up by Kovatch put the Flash up 64-54 heading into the fourth.

Saint Francis scored the first six points of the fourth quarter as they opened up their biggest lead of the game at 70-54, forcing an LIU timeout. The lead would peak at 17 points at 76-59 after a Maya Wynn (Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh) lay-up. But the Blackbirds would not go easily. LIU ripped off a 10-0 run over the next 90 seconds to cut the lead to 7 at 76-69. A Kovatch free throw would stop the run but the Blackbirds continued to chip away at the lead. Paris Jones hit two free throws to cut the lead to five at 77-72. The Blackbirds forced a turnover on the following possession, giving them a chance to cut it to a one-possession game. However, Aisha Brock (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) deflected a pass to Kovatch who sprung the senior for a run-out lay-up and give the Flash a seven-point lead.

"Our defense helped to close out the game today," Haigh said. "We continued to attack on defense, got to loose balls and finished from the foul line, we have really worked hard on our late game defense this year."

Kovatch hit a step-back three that helped to ice the game. A late Bethel steal made it official as SFU moved to 4-10 overall and 2-1 in the NEC.

LIU placed four players in double figures as Stylz Sanders and Jones each had 14 to lead the Blackbirds. Shanovia Dove nearly missed out on a double-double with 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds. LIU out rebounded SFU 41-33 but owned only a 15-14 edge on second-chance points. SFU's constant attack led to a 38-32 edge in the paint on Saturday and 8-6 on the fast break.

Both teams are now an identical 4-10 overall and 2-1 in the NEC. Saint Francis will look to sweep their first road weekend of the year on Monday when they take on the Terriers of St. Francis-Brooklyn. Tip time is set for 7 p.m..