LORETTO, Pa. (Interstat) — Saint Francis (PA) secured its first victory of the season Thursday night, defeating Wagner 75-67 in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball game at DeGol Arena. The Red Flash, now 1-13, used a 24-point second quarter to build a lead and held off a Seahawks rally. Shelby Ricks led all scorers with 29 points for Saint Francis (PA), which capitalized on 10 3-pointers and 21-of-26 free-throw shooting. Wagner, which fell to 6-8, dominated inside with 48 paint points and 16 offensive rebounds but shot 0 for 8 from 3-point range and 17 of 37 from the foul line. Keana Foz paced the Seahawks with 13 points and five assists. Saint Francis (PA) committed 21 turnovers but offset them with efficient shooting, while Wagner’s 15 turnovers proved costly in the eight-point defeat before a crowd of 158.

LORETTO, Pa. (Interstat) — In a game defined by contrasting styles and a decisive third-quarter swing, the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash secured just their first victory of the season, holding off the Wagner Seahawks 75-67 in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball matchup on Thursday night at DeGol Arena. The most critical phase of the contest arrived in the third quarter. Wagner, trailing 39-26 at halftime, mounted a furious comeback out of the break. The Seahawks unleashed a 17-4 run, spearheaded by their dominance in the paint. Post players Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor and Hawa Balde-Camara combined for 10 points during the surge, with Keana Foz adding a driving layup and a pair of free throws. Irene Fernandez de Caleya capped the run with a layup at the 5:58 mark, tying the game at 43 and completely erasing the 13-point halftime deficit. The Red Flash, however, responded with the poise of a team determined to shed its losing streak. After a timeout, they immediately stemmed the tide. A three-pointer from Shelby Ricks, assisted by Sonia Sato, halted Wagner’s momentum. While the Seahawks continued to attack the rim, taking a brief 50-48 lead on a Balde-Camara layup, Saint Francis (PA) closed the quarter on a 5-0 spurt. A three-pointer from Bati Assefa with 41 seconds left gave the Red Flash a 53-50 advantage heading into the final period, a lead they would not relinquish. Saint Francis (PA) sealed the victory at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. After Wagner closed to within 59-57 with 8:09 remaining, the Red Flash answered with a Gemma Walker three-pointer and a critical jumper from Ricks to push the lead back to seven. Wagner’s offensive struggles from the perimeter and the charity stripe proved insurmountable down the stretch. The Seahawks missed all eight of their three-point attempts in the game and shot a crippling 17 for 37 from the free-throw line. Saint Francis (PA), by contrast, connected on 10 of 22 from beyond the arc and a efficient 21 of 26 from the line. The victory was anchored by a career-high performance from Shelby Ricks. The sophomore guard from Lakeland, Florida, scored 29 points, including three three-pointers, and added three blocks and two steals in 28 minutes. Her scoring outburst was a dramatic shift from her previous outing, a four-point performance in a loss to Fairleigh Dickinson. She was supported by a balanced effort that saw Gemma Walker add 11 points, while Sonia Sato and Bati Assefa each chipped in 10 points. Wagner’s effort was led by its interior presence and transition play. The Seahawks scored 48 points in the paint and forced 21 Red Flash turnovers, converting them into 15 points. Keana Foz of Mississauga, Canada, filled the stat sheet with 13 points, five assists, and four steals. Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor, from Kotor Varos, Nigeria, led the team with 14 points, and Irene Fernandez de Caleya contributed 10 points. The game began in disjointed fashion, with the teams combining for 10 turnovers in the first five minutes. Saint Francis (PA) built its initial lead in the second quarter, using a 13-2 run fueled by two Ricks three-pointers to open a 25-17 advantage. They extended that lead to 13 by halftime, capitalizing on Wagner’s cold shooting. Despite the loss, Wagner’s record moves to 6-8 overall. Saint Francis (PA) improves to 1-13, capturing its first win after 13 consecutive defeats to open the season. The Red Flash were projected as slight favorites with a 52.6% win probability by National Statistical’s ELO system. Wagner next travels to face Mercyhurst on Saturday. Saint Francis (PA) will host Long Island University on the same day, looking to build on the momentum of their inaugural victory.

LORETTO, Pa. (Interstat) — A Wagner team riding a wave of momentum will face a Saint Francis (PA) squad desperate for its first win when the Northeast Conference women’s basketball rivals meet Thursday night at DeGol Arena. The visiting Seahawks (6-7) have won three straight games, including a 62-59 road victory at Stonehill on Sunday. The Red Flash (0-13), meanwhile, are one of the few remaining winless teams in Division I, coming off a 73-28 home loss to Fairleigh Dickinson. Wagner’s surge has been fueled by the all-around play of Irene Fernandez de Caleya. The standout guard is averaging 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game during the winning streak, highlighted by a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double at Stonehill. Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor, who scored 14 points in that game, provides key support. Saint Francis (PA) has struggled offensively, failing to reach 55 points in nine of its 13 games. Giselle Eke has been a bright spot, averaging 6.3 rebounds and showing defensive versatility, but the Red Flash rank near the bottom nationally in several scoring categories. Their last single-digit loss was a 55-53 defeat to Division III Carnegie Mellon on Nov. 18. Historically, this series has been competitive, adding intrigue to the contrasting trajectories. Wagner will look to extend its streak and climb above .500, while Saint Francis (PA) aims to find an offensive rhythm and break through in conference play. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. Wagner travels to Mercyhurst on Saturday, while Saint Francis (PA) hosts Long Island.