FLASH POINTS

• A big third quarter run from Columbia proved to be the difference
• Caitlyn Kroll (Bridgeport, Ohio/Bridgeport) led the Red Flash in scoring, topping 18 points for the third-straight game, and 20 for the second-straight
• The Red Flash struggled from three-point range, going just 6-30 from three

 
 
NEW YORK, NY-   A big third-quarter run from the hot shooting Columbia Lions was too much to overcome as SFU dropped their third-straight contest, 94-81 at Levian Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
 
A 12-2 run to start the second half for Columbia moved a five-point halftime deficit to a 15-point Lion lead. The Lions used 54 percent shooting from the field and 58 percent from three to hold of Saint Francis. The Red Flash would not be able to get closer than eight the rest of the night. Cold shooting from three-point range was a culprit as the Red Flash went shot just 20 percent (6-30) from deep on the night.
 
FIRST QUARTER RECAP

• Both teams started red-hot from the field, each shooting over 50 percent in the quarter
• The quarter had six lead changes and a pair of ties, neither team led by more than three
• Five-straight by the Red Flash included a Jenna Mastellone (New York City/Archbishop Molloy) three to give SFU a 14-12 lead
• Caitlyn Kroll (Bridgeport, Ohio/Bridgeport) found Kyasia Duling (Zanesville, Ohio/New Albany (Duquesne)) on a back-door cut to end the quarter, SFU led 18-17 after 10 minutes

 
 
SECOND QUARTER RECAP

• The teams continued to trade the lead, with an Ace Harrison (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor (Maryland)) steal-and score, making it a 25-24 Lion lead
• Columbia responded with a 9-2 run to give the Lions the largest lead for either team at eight, 34-26
• SFU would get the lead to within three on a trio of occasions off jumpers by Caitlyn Kroll (Bridgeport, Ohio/Bridgeport) and Ace Harrison (Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor (Maryland))
• The Red Flash could get no closer than three in the half with Columbia taking a 41-36 lead into the locker room

 
THIRD QUARTER RECAP

• Columbia got out of the gate with a 12-2 run to put them up as many as 15
• Jessica Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) and Kyasia Duling (Zanesville, Ohio/New Albany (Duquesne)) each picked up their fourth fouls during the run
• Layups by Leah Morrow (Columbus, Ohio/Columbus Africentric) and Maya Wynn (Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh) cut the lead to single digits but Columbia would prevent a counter-run in the first five minutes
• Out of the media timeout, the Lions ripped off an 8-2 run as the Red Flash went cold from the field, missing eight straight
• The Red Flash ended the quarter going 2-12 as Columbia pulled away with a 68-51 lead heading into the fourth

 
FOURTH QUARTER RECAP

• The Lion lead would hit a high-mark of 20 before a 7-0 run by the Flash fueled by defense
• Kovatch had a steal and score, followed by a steal of the inbound pass that led to a Duling layup
• The lead would stay at 14 heading into the fourth quarter media timeout
• The Red Flash could not get within that 13-point mark with Columbia having an answer to every run until late in the contest
• Late threes from Kroll, Kovatch and Wynn cut the lead to 9 and forced a Columbia timeout with under a minute remaining
• Despite a 11-1 run that cut the lead to as little as eight, the Lions would ice the game from the line
• The Lions improved to 5-5 on the year with a 94-81 victory while Saint Francis falls to 3-5 on the season

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Columbia shot 54 percent for the game and 58 percent (11-19) from three
• The Lions won the rebound battle 41-33 but SFU had an 11-7 edge on the glass
• Caitlyn Kroll (Bridgeport, Ohio/Bridgeport)'s 23 points set another career best, marking the third-straight game she set a career best
• Columbia put six players in double figures, Camille Zimmerman led all scorers with 25
• SFU forced 17 turnovers including seven steals but turned those miscues into just 16 points

 
LOOKING AHEAD
 The Red Flash are back at home for the final time in the 2017 calendar season as they host the Youngstown State Penguins. Tip time from DeGol Arena is set for 2 p.m.