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Canisius University Athletics

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Irene Rey Pineda hits a three versus Saint Francis (Pa.) 11/15/24
Joe Lehrman
48
Winner Canisius Canis 1-2,0-0 MAAC
46
Saint Francis SF-PA 0-4,0-0 NEC
Winner
Canisius Canis
1-2,0-0 MAAC
48
Final
46
Saint Francis SF-PA
0-4,0-0 NEC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Canisius Canis 15 9 12 12 48
Saint Francis SF-PA 13 4 8 21 46

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women’s Basketball Wins a Thriller at Saint Francis (Pa.)

Tied with 14 seconds left in regulation, junior guard Franka Wittenberg drove to the basket and drew a foul, allowing her to sink two free throws and ice the game for Canisius, which earned a 48-46 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) Friday in non-conference women's basketball action at DeGol Arena in Loretto, Pa.

The Golden Griffins (1-2) picked up their first win of the season and the first career win of first year head coach, Tiffany Swoffard. The Red Flash slid to 0-4 on the season with the loss.

Wittenberg was the lone Griff to score in double figures, scoring 10 points, nabbing two boards, recording an assist while going 4-for-4 from the free throw line. She was followed by graduate student Jaela Johnson and senior Sara Carvajal Caro, both of whom had nine points. Johnson went 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, improving her three-point percentage to 50.0 percent on the season. Carvajal Caro was perfect from the floor in the first half, knocking down all four of her shots. Sophomore Shariah Gailes and junior Mariam Sanogo both recorded a game-high six rebounds.

Canisius took control of the game early in the first quarter, starting on a 7-0 run. Saint Francis went on a run of its own in the opening frame, making an 8-3 run to take 13-12 lead with 50 seconds remaining in the quarter. Johnson retook the lead on a buzzer-beating three pointer to give the Griffs a 15-13 advantage at the end of the quarter. 

The Griffs continued to play stellar defense in the second quarter, racking up three steals and holding the Red Flash to four points. Gailes recorded three steals on top of her four rebounds in the first half. 

Down 36-27 in the fourth quarter, Saint Francis battled back, going on 17-6 run in the final 7:00 of regulation to tie the game at 46-46. They were led by Yannessa Boyd and Natalie Johnson, who combined for 12 of Saint Francis' 21 points in the fourth quarter. The Griffs were able to survive the rally, as Wittenberg knocked down all four of her free-throws to help lift Canisius the 48-46 win.

GAME NOTES
• Canisius now holds a 7-3 lead over the Red Flash in the all-time series.
• Wittenberg is the first Griff to tally double-figure scoring in consecutive games this season. This is also the first time she has achieved this feat in her career, after playing her first two collegiate seasons at Fresno State.
• Canisius held the Red Flash to four points in the second quarter, marking the lowest scoring quarter by a Canisius opponent since Feb. 3, 2024 when the Griffs held Saint Peter's to a four-point quarter in a 56-48 win.
• The Griffs recorded a season-high 10 steals, the most by the team since the Jan. 30, 2024 bout against Niagara when they recorded 11 steals.
• This is the lowest scoring win for the Griffs since Jan. 10, 2019, when Canisius defeated Iona 48-40.
• Canisius shot a season-best 45.0 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc.

UP NEXT
The Griffs open their home schedule with a match-up against long-time Little Three rival St. Bonaventure on Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

SUPPORT THE GRIFFS
Support the Canisius women's basketball team in conjunction with the "More Than A Game" campaign. Your donation to the women's basketball program helps our student-athletes continue to be champions in the community, in the classroom and in competition. To donate, CLICK HERE.
 
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