PITTSBURGH (Dec. 28, 2014) – In its first game of its final non-conference road trip, Saint Francis U fell at the University of Pittsburgh, 97-59, inside the Petersen Events Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Flash (1-9) hung with the Panthers (9-3) for most of the first half, but surrendered 51 second half points and was held without a field goal for nearly eight minutes. The nation’s second leading scorer, Alexa Hayward (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk), finished with 23 points and five rebounds.
“In the first half we missed shots down the stretch that we needed to make to keep us in it. Then it got a lot tougher for us during the second half and Pittsburgh improved their defense scheme.”
The Red Flash held its own for the majority of the first period matching every small run the Panthers made. Pitt had three runs of three or more baskets, but SFU stood its ground every time utilizing the three-ball. Maya Wynn (Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh) knocked down two triples, while Aisha Brock (Jacksonville, Fla./Potter’s House Christian Academy), Adila Gathers (Buffalo, N.Y./Tapestry Charter), and Hayward all had one in the frame.
Pittsburgh struggled mightily from three-point land in the first, shooting at just a 1-for-12 clip. The Panthers however used an 18-4 run over the final 4:33 of the first half and held a 46-31 lead at halftime.
It was SFU who struggled to start the second period as it didn’t score a field goal to the 12:33 mark of the frame. The Panthers extended their lead to as much as 41 as the second half neared its end.
Hayward was the lone player in double-figures, while Pittsburgh had six players. Brianna Kiesel led the Panthers and all scorers with 30 points.
Cydney Smith (Port Tobacco, Md./St. Mary’s Ryken) posted a career-high nine rebounds off the bench for SFU. Brock, Maya Wynn (Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh), and Smith all finished with six points for the Flash.
Saint Francis U has a short turnaround as it travels to Morgantown to face the No. 21 West Virginia Mountaineers at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening.
“West Virginia is a very good and a strong, physical team and we need to respond quickly with us playing again in just over 24 hours,” Haigh continued.