Preview: Long Island Sharks at Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash LORETTO, Pa. (Interstat) — A surging Long Island team visits a struggling Saint Francis (PA) squad in a Northeast Conference men’s basketball matchup Thursday at DeGol Arena. The Sharks (18-9) enter on a strong run, having won seven of their last eight games. Their most recent outing was an 83-65 home victory over Wagner on Monday. In contrast, the Red Flash (6-20) have lost five straight and nine of their last ten, including a 94-79 home loss to Mercyhurst on Saturday. The teams met just over a month ago, with Long Island securing a 67-63 home win on Jan. 10. A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top guards. Long Island’s Jamal Fuller is averaging 16.0 points per game over his last eight contests. He scored 20 points in Monday’s win over Wagner and had 23 points and six assists in a Jan. 31 victory at Central Connecticut. Saint Francis will rely on the high-scoring output of Skylar Wicks. He is coming off a 33-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance in the loss to Mercyhurst and has averaged 22.0 points over his last four games. Long Island’s success has been built on defense, holding opponents to 63.1 points per game during their 7-1 stretch. The Sharks also boast balance; in the win over Wagner, Malachi Davis added 19 points and Greg Gordon had 13. The Red Flash have struggled defensively, allowing 86.2 points per game during their five-game skid. They will need a major defensive effort to contain the Sharks’ rhythm and slow their own slide. For Saint Francis, a home upset could provide a crucial spark for the final stretch of the season. For Long Island, the game represents an opportunity to solidify its standing near the top of the conference and continue building momentum for the postseason. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Thursday.