New Britain, Conn. - Redshirt senior Isaiah Blackmon (Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte) tied his career-high with 28 points, 24 of them coming off of eight three-pointers, as the Saint Francis men's basketball team (8-5, 1-1 NEC) buried Central Connecticut State (1-14, 0-2 NEC) 93-69.

Krimmel's Reaction

"I like how our team responded to Thursday's loss," said head coach Rob Krimmel. "We had a great practice yesterday and were ready to go today. I really liked how we shared the ball and it led to some open looks, which we knocked down."

How It Happened

Saint Francis made 8-12 three-pointers in the first half and shot 52.9% from the field to lead 51-33 at the half. Blackmon put the Blue Devils away by himself in the second half, making 5-6 second half threes. 

A Historic Milestone

Senior Keith Braxton (Glassboro, N.J./Delsea) became just the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, finishing the game with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Braxton joins Maurice Stokes, Larry Lewis and Jim McClellan as the only other players in program history with 1,000 career rebounds. Lewis was the most recent, accomplishing the feat in 1969. He passed McClellan in the process to rank third in program history in rebounding. He also passed Darshan Luckey for 5th place on the school's scoring list and Jamaal King (Salisbury, Md./Bishop O'Connell (Va.)) for fifth in career assists. He is the only player in program history to rank in the top five in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.

Key Stats

• SFU's size overwhelmed the Blue Devils as rebounds finished 51-25 in favor of the Red Flash.
• Saint Francis tied its season-high with 14 made triples on just 22 attempts (63.6%), its best percentage of the season.
• Saint Francis also tied its season-high in assists with 18. Senior Randall Gaskins Jr. led the effort with a career-high eight assists to no turnovers.
• The Red Flash turned 16 offensive rebounds into 17 second chance points.

Notes

• Saint Francis had four players score in double figures. Sophomore Myles Thompson (Camden, N.J./Camden) joined Blackmon and Braxton in double figures with 13 points. Redshirt freshman Bryce Laskey (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands) added a career-high 10 points. 
• Junior Mark Flagg (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) blocked a season-high four shots to move into a tie-for-eighth in career blocks.
• SFU's 93 points were its most in regulation against a Division I opponent all season.
• The Red Flash shot over 50% from the field for just the third time in its first 13 games.
• Blackmon averaged 26 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games this week, shooting 12-19 from three-point range.
• His eight three-pointers were one off the school record held by John Hilvert (twice) and Andre Wolford (North Olmstead, Ohio/Saint Ignatius).
• The Red Flash led wire-to-wire with its largest lead at 33 points.

Up Next

Saint Francis plays its first home game since Dec. 17 when it welcomes Wagner to DeGol Arena on Thursday, Jan. 9.