STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Senior Ramiir Dixon-Conover contributed 20 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, but Wagner scored six of the final eight points to hold off the Saint Francis men's basketball team at the buzzer in a 70-68 Red Flash defeat Sunday afternoon.
 
Dixon-Conover added six assists to his double-double. Freshman Ronell Giles, Jr. chipped in with 13 points and redshirt freshman Josh Cohen tallied 12.
 
Wagner 70, Saint Francis 68
Records: Saint Francis (6-15, 5-12 NEC); Wagner (10-5, 10-4 NEC)
Location: Spiro Sports Center (Staten Island, N.Y.)
 
COACH KRIMMEL'S COMMENTS
"I thought we came out with a better focus. We had that back-and-forth in the middle of the first half and our energy was great with that group of Ramiir, Ronell, Zahree, Myles, and Josh. Their effort is what got us the lead going into halftime and to a 10-point lead to start the second half.
 
It was back and forth for six or seven minutes and at the end of it, they had two more points than we did … I'm proud of the way the guys came back and battled. It's another close game."
 
KEY MOMENTS

• The Red Flash shot 69.6% in the first half to build a 38-32 lead.
• Saint Francis opened up a 10-point advantage early in the second half, but a 10-0 Wagner run gave the Seahawks a one-point lead with 12 minutes to play.
• The Red Flash led by two with 2:44 to play before the Seahawks scored six straight points to take the lead for good. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• A 13-4 Wagner run gave the hosts a 20-13 advantage with 8:43 remaining in the first half.
• The Red Flash responded with the next nine, led by four points from Thompson, to go in front 22-20 with 5:55 left before halftime.
• A pair of Dixon-Conover threes fueled a 9-2 run to put the Red Flash in front 38-30 with 49 seconds to go in the opening half.
• A three-point play from Giles extended the advantage to double digits at 48-38 with 15:56 to play.
• Wagner rattled off 10 straight points to go back ahead by one at 53-52 with 12:19 to go.
• The Red Flash led 66-64 on a pair of free throws from Cohen with 2:44 to play before Wagner answered with the next six, taking the lead for the remainder of the contest.
• Saint Francis had an opportunity to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds, but a layup was missed and out of bounds off Wagner, before the ensuing inbound was turned over.

STATS

• Dixon-Conover was 7-for-12 from the field, 2-for-3 from distance, and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line while playing all 40 minutes.
• Giles played all 40 minutes for the first time in his career with a 6-for-8 showing from the line. The freshman added three assists.
• Cohen grabbed seven rebounds as the Red Flash held a 26-24 advantage on the glass.
• Freshman Zahree Harrison contributed a career-high 35 minutes off the bench.
• The Red Flash shot 51.1% for the game and 17-of-21 (81%) from the free-throw line. Wagner was an even 50% from the field and 13-of-14 (92.9%) from the stripe.
• SFU committed 16 turnovers to Wagner's 10.

GAME NOTES

• Saint Francis drops to 39-39 all-time against Wagner.
• Dixon-Conover's double-double is the second of his career and his first in points and rebounds.
• Cohen is averaging 7.0 rebounds per game over his last five contests.
• Thursday's season finale will be the 22^nd game of the season the Red Flash – matching the 1961-62 team for the fewest games played in a single season over the last 60 years.

UP NEXT 
The Red Flash will close out the 2020-21 season Thursday at 7 p.m. against Mount St. Mary's. The game can be seen on NEC Front Row. Senior Dan Henry will be honored as part of Senior Night festivities.
 
Follow Saint Francis Men's Basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get up-to-date information and a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Flash.
 
To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.