Baltimore, Md. - Sophomore Myles Thompson (Camden, N.J./Camden) netted a career-high 17 points to go with seven rebounds and senior Keith Braxton (Glassboro, N.J./Delsea) recorded game-highs in points with 20 and rebounds with nine in a 71-65 victory at Morgan State Wednesday night.

Krimmel's Reaction

"Coach Taylor likes to call these types of games 'Grimy' wins," said head coach Rob Krimmel. "We hurt them on the boards, won the 50/50 battle and shot well at the free throw line down the stretch. It is nice to get our first win under our belt as we look forward to Saturday night's home opener."

How It Happened

Thompson set the tone by drilling his first two three-pointers of the night. He scored 10 of SFU's first 13 points as SFU opened an early 13-6 lead. The Red Flash continued to push the pace and extended its lead to 24-8 after a Braxton layup. Saint Francis held Morgan State to 7-of-26 (26.9%) from the floor in the first half and led 32-22 at the half.

Saint Francis built a 39-23 lead after Thompson connected on his career-best third three of the game but the Bears fought back to cut it to 43-39. SFU led by nine at the under-4 media time but Morgan State cut it to a one score game on a layup with 1:40 left. Thompson answered with the most critical bucket of the game to up the lead to five and then Braxton converted a bucket plus the foul to stretch the lead to eight after converting the three-point play.

Braxton was critical in helping SFU close out the game, finishing 14-of-15 from the free throw line.

Inside the Box Score

• Saint Francis turned in its best defensive performance of the season, holding the Bears to 22-57 (38.6%) from the field. SFU shot 18-46 (39.1%).
• The Red Flash were efficient behind the arc for the second straight game, knocking down 4-10 (40.0%). Morgan State made just 2-13 (15.4%).
• The teams combined for 50 fouls. SFU went 31-35 (88.6%) from the charity stripe while Morgan State was 19-32 (59.4%).
• SFU hit the glass hard, winning the rebounding battle 45-29.
• SFU committed 21 turnovers to 10 from Morgan State.
• SFU led for 38:29 of the 40 minutes.

Notes

• Braxton's 20-point game was the 24th of his career. He passed Sandy Williams for 6th in program history in scoring.
• Senior Scott Meredith (Pilot Mountain, N.C./Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)) joined Braxton and Thompson in double figures with 10 points.
• SFU was 11-1 when holding opponents under 70 points last season and is 1-0 in 2019.
• Krimmel inches closer to 100 career wins with his 98th of his career.

Up Next 

SFU welcomes American for its home opener on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m.