Loretto, Pa. - Senior Jamaal King (Salisbury, Md./Bishop O'Connell (Va.)) scored 23 points while celebrating his senior day but it wasn't enough as the Saint Francis men's basketball team (15-12, 11-5 NEC) saw its eight-game win streak snapped in a 69-66 loss to the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds (13-15, 7-9 NEC).

Krimmel's Reaction

"We didn't do the things today that we did so well during our streak," said head coach Rob Krimmel. "LIU Brooklyn came in here and won more 50/50 balls and made the hustle plays. People will remember the plays at the end of the game but today was lost with our energy in the first half."

Turning Point

Saint Francis trailed by six at the half, 38-32. Every time the Red Flash pulled within one possession, the Blackbirds answered with a three-pointer. Saint Francis tied the score at 48-48 on a layup by sophomore Mark Flagg (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) at 12:21 of the second half but it was followed by a three from Ty Flowers. The red Flash trailed 68-61 with under three minutes to play before senior Keith Braxton (Glassboro, N.J./Delsea) cut it to four with a three-pointer. An offensive rebound and putback from Flagg made it a two-point game with 19 seconds left. Saint Francis fouled Flowers with 10 seconds remaining. He made the first free throw and missed the second but King couldn't get off a game-tying three and was called for a travel to end the game. 

First Half Summary

Saint Francis shot just 38.2% from the field and allowed eight offensive rebounds in the first half to go into the locker room facing a six-point deficit. The Red Flash assisted on just four of the 13 made field goals in the half.

Second Half Summary

Saint Francis played with better energy in the second half but was undone by the shooting disparity from three-point range. The Blackbirds made 5-of-11 three-pointers in the half while SFU connected on just 1-of-8.

Inside the Box Score

• Saint Francis finished the game 24-of-61 (39.3%) from the field while the Blackbirds made 25-of-53 (47.2%).
• The Red Flash hit 3-of-16 (12.5%) three-pointers while LIU Brooklyn connected on 10-of-26 (38.5%).
• Saint Francis was aggressive in getting to the free throw line but made just 15-of-22 (68.2%). The Blackbirds finished the game 9-of-15 (60.0%).
• Rebounds were even at 36-36. Saint Francis finished with 15 offensive boards.
• Saint Francis forced LIU into 14 turnovers while committing seven. King led SFU with four steals.
• Saint Francis led in points in the paint, 34-26, and second chance points, 14-11.

Notes

• Saint Francis honored its five seniors in King, Luidgy Laporal (Petit-Boutg, France/Harcum C.C.), Andre Wolford (North Olmstead, Ohio/Saint Ignatius), Jordan Forehand (Bridgewater, N.J./IMG Academy (Fla.)) and Michael Klebon (Paxinos, Pa./Southern Columbia). All five earned starts.
• King passed Saint Francis Hall of Fame Norm Van Lier for 10th place all-time in career scoring. It was his 26th career game with 20 or more points.
• Redshirt junior Isaiah Blackmon (Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte) set a new career-high with 10 rebounds to go with eight points.
• Flagg recorded 11 points and five rebounds.
• Braxton added 10 points and seven rebounds.
• Saint Francis's eight-game win streak was its longest since 1990-91.
• The Red Flash entered the game with a two-game lead on first place and can guarantee the regular-season outright title with two wins next week.

Up Next

Saint Francis opens the final weekend of the regular season at Wagner next Thursday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.