LORETTO, Pa. – In a thrilling Northeast Conference Tournament quarterfinal on Wednesday, the No. 3 seed St. Francis Red Flash narrowly defeated the sixth-seeded Wagner Seahawks, clinching a 58-55 victory. The game was highlighted by Riley Parker’s crucial performance, where he led St. Francis with 16 points. Parker solidified the win by making three free throws with just two seconds remaining.
With this victory, the Red Flash advance to the semifinals where they will face No. 2 seed Long Island on Saturday. Parker’s contribution to his team extended beyond scoring, as he also contributed five rebounds and four steals, showcasing his all-around skills. Daemar Kelly supported the team’s efforts by adding 13 points and pulling down six rebounds, while Juan Cranford Jr. contributed 11 points to the overall score.
The Seahawks, despite their best efforts, couldn’t overcome St. Francis’s defense. Zaire Williams was the leading scorer for Wagner, matching Parker’s 16 points, along with six rebounds and two steals. Ja’Kair Sanchez also had a notable performance, putting up 14 points, and Javier Ezquerra Trelles provided nine points along with five assists and two steals.
In the first half, Parker led with seven points, enabling St. Francis to edge ahead at the half, holding a narrow 28-25 lead. This advantage proved crucial as the Red Flash managed to sustain it until the final buzzer, securing their place in the upcoming semifinal encounter.
