Bethlehem, Pa. - The Saint Francis men's basketball team (4-7) couldn't slow down a hot-shooting Lehigh team (7-3) as the Mountain Hawks erased a 45-39 halftime deficit to defeat the Red Flash 88-76.

Krimmel's Reaction

"I thought we got off to the start we were looking for but Lehigh's zone started to cause us problems in the second half. When you aren't knocking down shots you have to find a way to execute and find really good looks. We weren't decisive enough offensively and it let them get out and find a rhythm on the other end."

Turning Point

Saint Francis led 45-39 at the half but the Mountain Hawks outscored SFU 17-6 over the first four minutes of the half to take a 56-51 lead. Saint Francis stayed within striking distance, cutting the deficit to 73-67 with 4:11 to play after two made free throws by junior Daivydas Kuzavas but Lehigh responded with back-to-back triples. As a team, the Mountain Hawks knocked down 13-of-23 (56.5%) from three-point range and 7-of-11 in the second half.

First Half Summary

Strong halves from senior Jamaal King (Salisbury, Md./Bishop O'Connell (Va.)) and junior Keith Braxton (Glassboro, N.J./Delsea) helped SFU build its early lead. Braxton would finish the half with 12 points and eight rebounds and King would record nine points and five assists. Despite making just 3-of-15 threes, SFU outrebounded Lehigh 23-14 in the half, nine of which came on the offensive glass.

Second Half Summary

Saint Francis made just 9-of-34 (26.5%) second half shots while the Mountain Hawks converted on 16-of-26 (61.5%). SFU also committed 11 of its 15 turnovers in the second half.

Inside the Box Score

• SFU finished the game 27-of-73 (37.0%) from the floor while Lehigh was 29-of-56 (51.8%).
• The Mountain Hawks came into the game as the third best three-point shooting team in the country and lived up to the billing with its 56.5% mark. SFU made just 9-of-35 triples (25.7%).
• Lehigh converted 17-of-19 free throws (89.5%) while SFU hit on 13 of its 15 tries (86.7%).
• SFU dominated the glass, 45-29. The Red Flash registered a season-high 20 offensive rebounds thanks to four each from freshman Myles Thompson (Camden, N.J./Camden) and sophomore Mark Flagg (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury).
• SFU outscored Lehigh 32-30 in the paint and 14-5 in second chance points. 
• The red Flash bench netted a 19-6 scoring advantage. 
• SFU was unable to keep Lehigh out of transition, getting outscored 28-10 in fast break points.

Notes

• King finished an assist shy of his first career double-double with 18 points and a career-high nine assists.
• Braxton registered another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
• Redshirt junior Isaiah Blackmon (Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte) and senior Andre Wolford (North Olmstead, Ohio/Saint Ignatius) each drained three triples. Blackmon finished with 13 points while Wolford chipped in with 11 off the bench.
• Thompson was the other scorer in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds. 
• SFU fell to 0-7 on the road this season.
• The Red Flash entered the game 4-0 this season when leading at the half.

Up Next

Saint Francis will enjoy some much needed time off before returning to the court for the start of conference play vs. Mount St. Mary's on Thursday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m in DeGol Arena.