SFU Postgame Quotes (Full Transcript) | Bryant Postgame Quotes (Full Transcript) | SFU Postgame Video | Highlights

Loretto, Pa. -  The Saint Francis men's basketball (17-13, 12-6 NEC) opened up an 18-point halftime lead then did enough to hold off the Bryant Bulldogs (10-20, 7-11 NEC) in the second half in a 67-63 win in the NEC Quarterfinals. Junior Keith Braxton (Glassboro, N.J./Delsea) led Saint Francis with 15 points and eight rebounds to set up a meeting with the sixth-seeded LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds in one of two semifinals on Saturday.

Krimmel's Reaction

"Coach Taylor said it best in the locker room after the game when he said one-point blowouts are what you are looking for this time of year," said head coach Rob Krimmel. "It really is a survive and advance mindset. Bryant is a well-coached, gritty team. I am proud of our guys for keeping their composure and making enough plays down the stretch."

Turning Point

Senior Andre Wolford (North Olmstead, Ohio/Saint Ignatius) gave the Red Flash a huge lift off the bench. Wolford made 3-of-4 three-pointers in the first half and scored all 13 of his points over the first 20 minutes to stake SFU to a 37-19 halftime lead. Bryant made a second half charge but never got closer than six until a three-pointer at the buzzer.

First Half Summary

Saint Francis's defense was the story of the night, particularly in the first half. The Red Flash held the Bulldogs to just 19 points on 30.8% from the field, the lowest points given up by SFU in any half all season. SFU went 15-of-28 (53.6%) from the field in the first half and 4-for-8 from three.

Second Half Summary 

The Bulldogs flipped the script in the second half, making 15 of its 29 shots (51.7%). Juan Cardenas was the catalyst for the Bulldogs, scoring 15 of his 17 points in the second half. The Red Flash went 10-for-25 from the field (40.0%) in the second half but received crucial contributions down the stretch from Braxton and senior Jamaal King (Salisbury, Md./Bishop O'Connell (Va.)). Redshirt junior Isaiah Blackmon (Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte) closed out the game from the free throw line by making five of his six attempts in the final minute.

Inside the Box Score

• Saint Francis made 25-of-53 (47.2%) from the field while Bryant finished 23-of-55 (41.8%).
• The Red Flash finished the game 5-for-17 (29.4%) from behind the arc while the Bulldogs hit 6-of-21 (28.6%).
• SFU was 12-of-19 (63.2%) from the free throw line to Bryant's 11-of-16 (68.8%).
• Saint Francis finished with a 37-30 edge on the glass.
• Saint Francis's bench outscored Bryant's 22-0.
• SFU held a 16-8 advantage in fast break points.
• Points in the paint favored SFU, 34-30.

Notes

• With the win, Krimmel improves to 5-5 in the NEC Tournament and 4-2 in NEC Quarterfinals. His five wins are the most in school history.
• SFU is 8-3 all-time at DeGol Arena in NEC play. 
• SFU is 3-0 all-time vs. Bryant in the playoffs. All three wins occurred on Ash Wednesday.
• Blackmon and King joined Braxton and Wolford in double figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
• Blackmon moves within four points of 1,000 for his career.
• Bryant came into the game 10-1 when holding an opponent under 70 points.
• SFU is 14-6 when winning the rebounding battle.

Up Next

Saint Francis will host the NEC defending champion and sixth-seeded LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds on Saturday at 2 p.m. The teams split the season series, each winning on the opposing team's home court. The Blackbirds will enter on a four-game win streak.