WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis drops a 65-56 decision to Wagner in NEC men's basketball action on Saturday.
>> Zion Russell paced the Red Flash with 21 points. The redshirt senior shot 7-for-12 from the floor, 4 of 6 from behind the arc, and 3 of 3 from the free throw line for his third 20-point game. 
>> Before the game, Saint Francis honored its senior class of Russell, Ahmad Harrison, Gestin Liberis, Chris Moncrief, KJ Swain, Jr., Cam Tweedy, and Skylar Wicks. Graduate student John McKeown was also recognized after his work with the program for the last two years.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
After Tweedy gave the Red Flash its final lead at 33-31 on a layup 22 seconds into the second half. The Seahawks responded with an 8-1 run to take the lead it would not relinquish. 

Saint Francis was able to respond with spurts to cut the margin to one point four times, but could not get over the hump to retake the lead. 

FLASH MOMENTS 
The Red Flash went on a 9-4 run in the first half to take its first lead at 9-8 with 14:07 on the clock, thanks to four points by Tweedy.

Russell and Wicks combined for 10 points in a 10-4 spurt to give the Red Flash a 31-29 edge with 1:36 left in the first half.

The Frankies posted nine of 14 points in the second to trim the margin to 44-43 with 12:39 left. Russell had five points in the surge.

FLASH NUGGETS
In the final game of the 2025-26 season at DeGol Arena, Russell ended his career at the arena the way it started, with a 20-point performance. Russell hit a career-high 23 points against Mount St. Mary's on November 11. He also had 23 points at Chicago State on February 9. The redshirt senior has scored double figures in seven of his last nine games and is averaging 12.0 points per game in that stretch.

Wicks ended with eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Liberis also finished with eight points and four rebounds. 

Liberis was a member of the men's basketball program for four years, appearing in 84 games and making 29 starts, totaling 396 points and 279 rebounds. He missed last season due to an injury, but will graduate in May after  four years with a degree.

Moncrief spent the last three seasons in Loretto after one year at Evansville. He played 77 games with 34 starts, 422 points, and 167 rebounds in his three seasons. He had five points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist on Saturday.

Swain arrived the same season as Moncrief as a walk-on before he earned a scholarship for the 2025-26 season. He scored 45 points and registered 14 rebounds in 25 games, including three starts. He had a 3-pointer in the game on Saturday to give the Red Flash a 5-4 edge.

Liberis, Moncrief, and Swain were members of the 2025 NEC Tournament Championship team. 

With the loss and Chicago State win, the Red Flash will need to win two of three on the road and get some help to advance to the postseason in 2025-26.

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Saint Francis begins a three-game road trip in New England on Tuesday at New Haven. Game time is 6 p.m. Read Full Article