Red Flash Bitten by the Terriers

The Saint Francis University men's basketball team posted a strong second half at home Thursday against St. Francis (NY) but it was not enough as the Terriers claimed a, 75-65, win.  

The Red Flash (5-15, 4-5) received a career-high 27 points from Anthony Ervin, who also posted five rebounds, three steals and three assists. Scott Eatherton posted a perfect shooting night for the Red Flash but fouled out with 3:34 left in the contest. Akeem Johnson poured in 22 for the Terriers with eight coming from the free throw line.

The contest started slow with the teams combining to miss their first eight shots. The slow start did not affect Eatherton, who started the game 4-for-4 from the floor. The Terriers got on track offensively by running Ben Mockford through and around screens, the starting guard posted eight of the SFC's first 19 points.  Once the Terriers got their offense going the Red Flash offense stalled and were continually hampered by turnovers. The Red Flash were forced into 15 first half turnovers. Saint Francis College closed the half on a 28-15 run and took a 37-24 lead into the locker room at halftime. Johnson led the Terriers in the first half with 11 points, while Eatherton led SFU with eight points on perfect shooting.

The Red Flash started slow in the second half and Saint Francis (NY) stretched its lead to as many as 18. Coach Don Friday used a timeout to change up the SFU defensive look switching to 1-3-1 zone. The gamble paid off and the new look confused the Terriers and forced SFC into turnovers leading to easy looks for the Red Flash offense. Saint Francis cut into the lead and got it down to as little as six with less than two minutes remaining.

The Red Flash secured a steal and looked to cut further into the lead but could not connect on an open look inside. Ervin connected on a 3-point basket to cut the lead to just six with 1:13 remaining but that would be as close as the Red Flash would get. SFU fouled down the stretch to try and extend the game but the Terriers were accurate from the line and sealed the game at the charity stripe.