LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis women's basketball team (10-4, 8-0 NEC) swept Merrimack (0-6, 0-6 NEC) with a 61-48 win on Friday in the teams' second meeting in as many days. This marks the 10^th-straight win for the Red Flash as SFU improves to 8-0 in NEC contests.
 
Saint Francis 61, Merrimack 48
Records: Saint Francis (10-4, 8-0 NEC), Merrimack (0-6, 0-6 NEC)
Location: DeGol Arena (Loretto, Pa.)
 
KEY MOMENTS
The Red Flash took the lead early in the first quarter, jumping ahead by six, a lead that would not be relinquished. The Warriors fought back scoring five but not before the Red Flash scored eight-straight points to give SFU a 15-5 lead. Saint Francis continued to put on the pressure after scoring nine to open up the second half to extend the lead to 30-12. With a 6-0 run to end the first half, this gave SFU the biggest lead of the day thus far making it 40-20 going into halftime.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Red Flash opened up with the first six points of the game off two shots and two free throws to give the Red Flash the early 6-0 lead. Both teams went scoreless for a full minute and thirty-nine seconds until a made layup by sophomore Sam Miller increased the SFU lead to six making it 11-5 in the first quarter.
A big three-pointer by freshman Diajha Allen increased the SFU lead to nine, 14-5 SFU, with 2:44 left in the first. Another three-pointer from Jenna Mastellone, SFU's third of the game, a missed layup by the Warriors and a rebound from junior Jada Dapaa ended the first quarter giving SFU the 21-12 lead heading into the second.

Freshman Kaitlyn Maxwell opened up the second quarter with a three to increase the SFU lead 24-12. A wide-open layup by Katie Dettwiller put the Red Flash up by 18, 30-12, with 5:52 left in the second quarter. Six-straight points by SFU gave the Red Flash a 20-point lead, the largest lead of the day, making it 40-20 at halftime.

The Warriors were the first to score in the second half, opening the third with four points, but the Red Flash scored four-straight points to bring the lead back to 20. Two free throws by Miller at the 5:44 minute were the last two points scored for nearly two minutes until a Merrimack made free throw. The score stood at 46-27 with 3:39 left in the third quarter. The Warriors scored five straight to finish off the third to cut the SFU lead to 11, 50-39, heading into the final quarter.

The Red Flash called timeout with 7:50 remaining after the first points of the fourth quarter came as a Merrimack three-pointer to cut the SFU lead to 50-42. A Dapaa free throw with 5:35 left on the game clock got the Red Flash on the board in the fourth. Saint Francis held on to a double-figure lead for the remainder of the game, ending on a 5-2 run to cap scoring at 61-48.

STATS
Saint Francis outrebounded Merrimack 35-31 and outshot the Warriors 40 percent to 30.8 percent during the game's entirety. The Red Flash held the 75.8 percent to 62.5 percent advantage from the charity stripe. SFU shot 56.5 percent from the field in the first half compared to 24 percent by Merrimack.

GAME NOTES

• This is the 10^th-straight victory for the Red Flash as it remains perfect in conference play at 8-0.
• Saint Francis has outrebounded its opponent in each of the 10 wins on the season.
• The Red Flash had nine players score points and three reach double figures.
• Dapaa tied a career-high 12 points and added 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. The first double-double came at Towson (10 points, 15 rebounds).
• Swogger scored in double figures for the ninth-straight game, totaling 11.
• Mastellone scored in double figures for the seventh time this season.
• The Red Flash had season highs in free throws made (25) and attempted (33).

UP NEXT
Saint Francis hosts Sacred Heart on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday's tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. while Wednesday is set for 4 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on NEC Front Row.
 
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.