The comeback seemed impossible in the first half after the Camels thought they broke the game open with a 20-5 run that saw the Red Flash go 1-for-7 from the floor with six turnovers over nearly eight minutes to grab a 37-22 lead.
A 20-5 rally of its own by the Red Flash washed away the run by Campbell. Fast forward to the game's final four minutes, and the Camels holding a 60-57 advantage. The Frankies would post eight of the last 12 points to get over the hump and come away with the one-point win. Talbert tied the game with 3:27 left on a 3-pointer. Â
It then became the Pinedo show for the Flash. He tied the game at 62 with 1:39 on the clock and again at 64 with a tip-in basket after a pair of Campbell baskets. A shooting foul called put Pinedo at the free throw line with one second on the clock with the chance to win the game. After he missed the first free throw and a Camels' timeout, the junior made the long ride home from North Carolina one to look forward to by sinking the second free for the decisive score.
"It was great to win a game early in the season where we didn't fill up the stat sheet. We played with more purpose and togetherness in the second half. We executed the game plan much better on both ends. Â Several guys stepped up down the stretch to allow Val to win it at the free throw line.,"
FLASH MOMENTS
Campbell started the scoring with a 3-pointer before the Red Flash rolled off nine of the following 11 points to take a 9-5 edge. Pinedo put the Red Flash on the scoreboard with consecutive baskets, a jumper, and a kiss off the glass to give the Frankies its first lead of 2024-25 104 seconds into the game. Rosenberger and Camels traded baskets before Kelly drained a triple at 16:53 for the four-point lead.Â
Saint Francis closed the half and began the second half on a 22-5 run to erase a 15-point deficit and tie the game at 44 with 16:19 left. The key to the rally was an 11-0 run over two minutes and four seconds powered by six points by Talbert, including the game-equalizing 3-pointer.Â
After rallying from 15 points down, Campbell retook the lead and grabbed a 56-50 lead with 7:20 left. The Frankies answered with a 7-0 run. Cranford started the spurt with a traditional 3-point play before Valentino and Talbert each scored off the glass to give Saint FrancisÂ
FLASH NUGGETS
Coming into the North Carolina trip, the most points Pinedo scored in a season was 20 points in his freshman year at East Carolina. The return to the Carolinas was a treat for the junior transfer after posting 23Â points in the two games, along with 10 rebounds. Pinedo had eight points and five boards against Clemson on Friday.
Talbert finished his high school career at Combine Academy in North Carolina, so his return to the area also did him well. He averaged 17.5 points per game in the two games, with his best two-road performances in a Saint Francis uniform. The sophomore registered 17 points at Clemson and then poured in 18 points on Sunday. His previous career best away from Loretto was 14 points at Sacred Heart on January 4, 2024. Talbert has 14 double-figure performances in his career.
Rosenberger started the season with three consecutive games with exactly 10 points, and for the fifth time in his career he has turned that trick. He leads the team with 16 games with at least 10 points. The sophomore will head to Penn State on Tuesday, where he scored double figures for the first time with a then career-best 19 points.
Parker stuffed the stat sheet with five points, a career-high seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Daemar Kelly tied a career-high with eight points.Â
It is the 19th time under Krimmel that the Red Flash has rallied from a 10-point deficit for the victory. The 15 points are the fifth most under the 13-year head coach, a feat the team has now done eight times.
It was the squad's first win in North Carolina since defeating East Carolina 69-66 on January 27, 1971. It is the third time the Frankies have posted a win in the Tarheel State and the first under Krimmel. The victory was also the first in program history against the Coastal Athletic Association on the road. Saint Francis defeated William & Mary on December 22, 2019, in Washington, D.C., but Sunday's win was the first on the home floor of a CAA team.
Last year, the Red Flash defeated Campbell 78-76 on December 30, 2023. A total of three points decided the two games.
The Frankies played to a one-point result for the 23rd time under Krimmel. It was the second time the team has won a one-point game on the road and the third time under the coach. The team also ended a 12-game losing streak on the road.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis returns to action at Penn State on Tuesday. Game time is 7 p.m. The contest will air on the Peacock channel.Â
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