LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis women's basketball team (7-4, 5-0 NEC) beat Bryant (4-3, 2-1 NEC) by a 67-56 margin on Thursday in the first of two games against the Bulldogs this week, handing Bryant its first conference loss of the season. The Red Flash extends its win streak to seven games, the most since 2016-17.
 
Saint Francis 67, Bryant 56
Records: Saint Francis (7-4, 5-0 NEC), Bryant (4-3, 2-1 NEC)
Location: Chance Athletic Center (Smithfield, R.I.)
 
KEY MOMENTS
Saint Francis started the game on a 10-2 run and did not trail the entire game.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Bryant was forced to take a timeout after two minutes of play as Saint Francis jumped out to a 6-0 lead. The Bulldogs scored out of the timeout but the Red Flash maintained a six-point lead midway through the opening quarter.

Jenna Mastellone had the lone three-pointer of the first quarter for either team as SFU held a 17-8 lead after 10 minutes of play. The Red Flash defense forced the Bulldogs to shoot just 23.5 percent from the floor in the first quarter.

After the first shot of the second quarter went to the Bulldogs, the Red Flash scored five-straight points. A three-point play from Karson Swogger gave SFU a double-figure lead, 22-10, with just under seven minutes to play in the half.

Bryant entered the bonus with 5:21 remaining in the first half as Kaitlyn Maxwell capitalized, hitting both free throws, to put Saint Francis up 26-12. With three minutes to play in the half, Swogger hit a three-pointer to become the first player in the game to reach double figures and give SFU the 31-15 lead, its largest of the half.

The Red Flash held a 37-25 lead going into the locker room, despite a pair of three-pointers from the Bulldogs before the break.

Bryant came out strong in the third quarter, opening the second half with an 11-4 run to trim Saint Francis' lead down to five, 41-36, with 4:24 to play in the third. The Red Flash built its lead back up to 10 points with just under two minutes remaining in the quarter.

SFU held a 54-40 lead after three quarters of play, scoring the final six points of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs weren't able to cut the Red Flash lead to fewer than nine points in the fourth quarter, despite a 16-13 advantage in the final frame. Swogger reached her season-high in points with one minute left in the game as the Red Flash earned the 67-56 victory.

STATS
Saint Francis out-rebounded Bryant 10-5 in the second quarter and 19-18 in the first half. The Red Flash shot 50 percent from the floor in the second quarter and 44.8 percent in the first half, compared to 33.3 percent in the first half by the Bulldogs. SFU was 9-of-9 from the free throw line in the first half.

The Red Flash out-shot the Bulldogs from the floor during the game as well, 45 percent to Bryant's 40.7. SFU held the 36-32 advantage in rebounds.

GAME NOTES

• Saint Francis' seven-game win streak is the longest since 2016-17.
• Lili Benzel extended her streak as she's made a three-pointer in 20 consecutive games.
• Swogger recorded her second 20-point game of the season, scoring a season-high 22 points.
• SFU outrebounded its opponent for the seventh-straight game.
• Swogger reached double figures for the ninth time this season and the sixth-straight game.
• Mastellone reached double figures for the sixth time this season.
• Benzel reached double figures for the eighth time this season.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis and Bryant play again on Friday at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
 

Follow Saint Francis Women's Basketball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get up-to-date information and a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Flash program.
 
To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.