WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis women's basketball dropped road contest to Xavier, 63-51, on Saturday afternoon at Cinatas Center.
>> Aleah James led the Red Flash with a season-high 22 points.
>> Shelby Ricks provided a spark off the bench, knocking down a season-high 16 points.
>> Bati Assefa recorded double digit in rebounds with 12.
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
Xavier seized control coming out of halftime with a dominant start to the third quarter, opening the period on a 19-2 run over the first 3:16 to turn a 27-17 halftime advantage into a 36-17 lead. During that stretch, the Musketeers scored on seven of its eight possessions, capitalizing on second-chance points and turnovers, while Saint Francis was held scoreless. Although the Red Flash settled in offensively later in the period, the early third quarter surge proved to be the decisive separation in the contest.
FLASH MOMENTS
Saint Francis cut the deficit to three late in the first quarter when James buried a second-chance three-pointer with less than two minutes remaining.
In the second quarter, James and Assefa connected from beyond the arc to keep the Red Flash within striking distance heading into halftime.
The Red Flash put together its best stretch of the game in the fourth quarter, opening the period on a run sparked by transition baskets from James and a corner three by Ricks. Saint Francis trimmed the difference to 12 following a
Cassandra Hawthorne three at the 4:51 mark.
FLASH NUGGETS
James finished with 22 points in Cincinnati, marking her fifth double-digit scoring performance and second 20-point game of the season.
Ricks added 16 points and four rebounds for her fourth double-digit outing of the season and a new season high.
Assefa finished with five points and a season-high 12 rebounds, marking her first double-digit rebounding effort of the year.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis will return to action at Pittsburgh on Thursday. Game time is 6 p.m.
