Flash Points:

• Saint Francis won their seventh-straight game for the first time since 2010-11
• 8-1 is the best start for SFU since the 2003-04 season
• The Red Flash run their win streak at the Spiro Center to 15 straight games
• Jessica Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) led three players in double figures with 16 on 5-8 shooting

 
 
STATEN ISLAND, NY- Saint Francis used a 12-1 run at the start of the second quarter and led by as many as 28 en-route to their seventh-straight win, 67-45 over the Wagner Seahawks on Saturday afternoon at the Spiro Center.
 
Jessica Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) led three players in double figures with 16 as she passed Brittany Lilley for 20^th on the all-time scoring list at Saint Francis in the victory. The sophomore was an efficient 5-8 from the field and added three assists two rebounds and a pair of steals. Ace Harrison (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor (Maryland)) had a near double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds and a team-high four steals. Maya Wynn (Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh) had a strong day as well with 13 points on 5-7 shooting and three steals of her own. As a team, SFU had 16 thefts and forced 23 turnovers, leading to 26 points on Saturday.
 
The Red Flash were cold to start the game, starting 5-14 from the field as Saint Francis and Wagner traded the lead throughout the quarter. A step-back three from Kovatch closed the quarter and gave SFU a 12-10 lead after 10 minutes. SFU ripped off a 12-3 run in the opening stages of the second to break open the contest and lead 24-13. A trio of Wynn threes highlighted the run for Saint Francis. Wagner would close the gap to seven before another big SFU run closed the half. A three and lay-in by Harrison and clutch free throws by Jill Falvey (Lincroft, N.J./Middletown South) late helped to push the lead out to 15 at 37-22. The Red Flash took that 15-point lead into the locker room as they held the Seahawks to just three points over the final four minutes.
 
The run continued to start the second half, amounting to a 23-5 run across the two quarters as the lead grew to 25 at 50-25 on a Katie Reese (Boonton Township, N.J./Mountain Lakes (Manhattan)) three. The Flash's hot shooting cooled down as Wagner held the Flash scoreless over the final five minutes of the quarter. However, the Flash limited the Seahawks to just eight points in that span as SFU led 50-33 at the end of the third. The Red Flash ended the run quickly at the start of the fourth, ripping off a 15-2 run to start the final frame. Threes by Kovatch, Halee Adams (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle (Sienna)) and Samiah Bethel (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter's House Christian Academy) each hit threes during the run. The Flash coasted from there as they won their seventh straight for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
 
Kerstie Phills led the Seahawks with 16 points while Tanasia Russell posted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Wagner won the rebounding battle 38-32 and had a 7-2 edge on second-chance points. However, the Red Flash held Wagner to 34 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers, turning them into 26 points.
 
The win moves Saint Francis to 11-9 overall and 8-1 in Northeast Conference play. Wagner falls to 1-19 and 0-9 in NEC play. The Red Flash are back at home on Monday to welcome in-state rival Robert Morris to DeGol Arena. Tip time is set for 7 p.m.