WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis women's basketball opened NEC play with a hard-fought 73-69 loss to Le Moyne on Friday night in women's basketball action.
>> Shelby Ricks racked up a career-high 21 points.
>> Makyiah Ward posted a career-high 15 points.
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
The contest featured multiple lead changes and was tightly contested throughout, but Le Moyne pulled ahead for good late in the fourth quarter. After Saint Francis tied the game at 66 on a Sonia Sato 3-pointer with 4:37 remaining, the Dolphins responded with a timely 7-3 run over the next three minutes and held on down the stretch to secure the four-point victory.
FLASH MOMENTS
Ricks and
Cassandra Hawthorne provided early offense, while Saint Francis forced several turnovers to limit Le Moyne's ability to build a lead.
In the second quarter, the Red Flash used defensive pressure to trim the deficit to two possessions. Ward attacked the rim for multiple finishes, while
Zaiha Minnis converted at the free-throw line to keep Saint Francis within striking distance heading into halftime.
Coming out of the break, Saint Francis came out strong in the third quarter. Ward and Ricks combined for 14 points in the quarter, and the Red Flash briefly grabbed the lead midway through. Defensive stops from Sato and
Bati Assefa helped Saint Francis maintain momentum during the surge.
The Red Flash sparked another push in the fourth quarter. A Sato 3-pointer tied the game at 66 with under five minutes remaining.
FLASH NUGGETS
Ward finished with a career-high 15 points, marking the first time she reached double figures since the first two games of the season. She also added six assists and two steals, setting season highs in assists.
Ricks led Saint Francis with 21 points, recording her seventh double digit game of the season. She added seven rebounds and a block, scoring in double figures in each quarter.
Sato totaled 13 points and matched a career-high with four blocks. The graduate student also knocked down a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
Assefa provided energy on both ends of the floor, finishing with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 26 minutes of action.
Saint Francis forced 15 Le Moyne turnovers.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis women's basketball returns to action on Sunday at 1 p.m., taking on FDU in NEC play as part of a classic doubleheader at DeGol Arena. The women's game will be followed by the men's contest tipping off at 4 p.m.
