WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis drops a 71-60 decision on Thursday at Merrimack in Northeast Conference (NEC) men's basketball action.
>> Gestin Liberis (Havertown, Pa.) notched his first NEC double-double with NEC career highs of 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
>> Eli Wilborn (Middletown, Conn.) paced the Red Flash with 16 points, while Aaron "Ace" Talbert (Wyandanch, N.Y.) chipped in 10 points in the loss.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
Merrimack scored the first 10 points of the game to take the lead it would not relinquish. The Frankies cut it to four points in the first half and six in the second half but could get no closer the rest of the way.

FLASH MOMENTS
Trailing 17-6 in the first half, Saint Francis scored the next seven points to cut the margin to 17-13 with 9:19 on the clock. Liberis and Bobby Rosenberger III (Quakertown, Pa.) had a basket before Aidan Harris (Annapolis, Md.) capped the spurt with a triple.

The Warriors opened up a 33-21 advantage with 1:36 left in the first half before the Red Flash went on a 6-0 surge to end the first half and start the final frame. Wilborn made two free throws, and Carlos Lopez, Jr. (Egg Harbor, N.J.) scored in the lane to end the half before Wilborn started the scoring in the second half with a layup at 19:45. 

FLASH NUGGETS
Liberis, who had 10 points at LIU on February 18, 2023, for his only collegiate double-figure performance coming into his sophomore campaign, notched his fourth 10-point game this season and his second double-double. The 14 points and 10 rebounds are the most he has posted in both categories in his career against a Division I opponent after posting a career-high 15 points and 10 rebounds against Franciscan on November 22. It was the first time this season and the second time in his career he has recorded at least 10 points in a conference game. The three blocks were also a career-best.

Wilborn has scored at least 16 points in his last three games and for the fifth time in his previous 10 games. The freshman averages 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in his last three contests. Wilborn leads the team with 17 double-figure point games and 19 contests with at least five rebounds. 

Talbert recorded back-to-back double-figure games for the second time in his career and the first time since he strung together four straight games from December 15 to January 4. It was also the first time in his career that he had scored 10+ points in consecutive games on the road. The freshman has 10 double-figure point games this season. 

Saint Francis shot 50.0 percent from the floor for the third time this season and the first time on the road. The Red Flash shot a team-best 60.9 percent against Franciscan and 50.8 percent against Sacred Heart on January 25, both games at DeGol Arena. 

NEXT UP
Saint Francis returns to action and concludes a three-game road trip at Stonehill on Saturday. Game time is 2 p.m. The Red Flash can clinch a spot in the NEC Tournament with a win.