WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Stonehill scored on a putback layup with 70 seconds left to edge Saint Francis 58-55 in NEC women's basketball action on Thursday.
>> Shelby Ricks paced the Red Flash with 16 points.
>> Bati Assefa added 12 points, including a 3-pointer to tie the game at 55.
>> Saint Francis wraps up its home season against CCSU on Saturday. A win would clinch a playoff spot and would also be the team's 400th NEC win.
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
After Assefa tied the game at 55, the teams traded turnovers before the Skyhawks took the lead on an offensive rebound and putback for a two-point lead.
Saint Francis missed a 3-pointer and then got the ball back on a Ricks' defensive rebound with 16 seconds left, trailing by two points. The Red Flash attempted another 3-pointer and Stonehill came down with the defensive rebound and increased its lead with a free throw.
Saint Francis went for the tie as the clock was winding down, but the officials ruled that the Red Flash was fouled attempting a two-pointer. After missing the first free throw with 0.5 seconds left, Saint Francis was called for a lane violation to give the ball back to Stonehill. The Skyhawks turned the ball over, but with 0.1 seconds left, there was no chance for the Loretto program to get a shot off before time expired.
FLASH MOMENTS
The Red Flash went on a 6-0 run in the first quarter thanks to baskets by
Cassandra Hawthorne, Ricks, and Assefa for an 8-6 edge with 2:40 left in the frame.
Aleah James and
Zaiha Minnis both hit 3's in the final 41 seconds of the first quarter to go into the second frame tied at 14.
With it being Senior Day, Saint Francis played only its six seniors in the first 10 minutes of the game, including Minnis, who got her first career start.
Sonia Sato powered a 15-8 run in the final eight minutes and 13 seconds of the third quarter with six points to trim the margin to 42-41 going into the final 10 minutes. Minnis also had five points in this stretch.
Saint Francis started the fourth quarter scoring six of the first nine points with four points from Ricks and two points by Assefa to take a 47-45 edge with 6:53 left.
Gemma Walker tied the game at 49 on a driving layup with 5:33 left before the Red Flash went on a 6-2 spurt to square the game at 55 in the final three minutes after Assefa's 3-pointer.
FLASH NUGGETS
Ricks registered 16 points for the second-straight game after she had 16 points and nine rebounds against Wagner on February 21. She has registered back-to-back 10+ point games for the fourth time this season, and has eight games with at least 15 points.
Assefa finished with an NEC career-high 12 points, the second-most of her career, and her third 10+ point game. She registered a career-high 15 points against Lafayette on November 16.
Minnis, who has one 10+ point game in her Red Flash career, finished Senior Day with eight points. Sato registered six points, four rebounds, and tied her career high in assists (3) and steals (3), while James posted three points and four assists. Hawthorne recorded two points and three rebounds.
With a win on Saturday, Saint Francis would clinch a spot in the NEC Tournament. A loss, and the Red Flash would have to beat FDU on March 5 or have Wagner finish higher than Chicago State, along with a CCSU loss.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis wraps up its DeGol Arena schedule against the Blue Devils on Saturday. Game time is 2 p.m.
