MESA, Ariz. --- Playing without two of its starters, the University of St. Francis women's basketball team had its three game winning streak snapped by University of Providence (Mont.) 71-43 in the first day of play at the Cactus Classic on Monday afternoon.

A pair of big runs to close out the second and third quarters accounted for the 28-point setback. After falling behind initially, the Saints (11-4) took a 19-15 lead with 7:37 remaining in the second quarter. USF, however, would manage only one basket over the next nearly ten-minute span, which extended into the third quarter.

Kalyn Sias-Chaney's layup at the end of the second quarter accounted for the only St. Francis points, leaving the Saints trailing 28-21 at the break. Providence (11-3) put up 13 straight points before Sias-Chaney stopped the unanswered run and the Argos added four more points to open the third quarter in building a 32-21 lead.

USF cut that deficit in half midway through the third quarter to trail 37-32 before Providence unleashed another 15-0 burst to open up a 52-32 lead with just over eight minutes to play in the contest and seal St. Francis' fate.

The Saints managed just four field goals in each of the four quarters and never shot above 29 percent after the first quarter in finishing with an overall 26.7 percent field goal reading (16-of-60) and only three treys in 19 attempts (15.8 percent). Providence countered with a 45.8 percent field goal percentage (27-of-59).

Providence's starting five accounted for all but 12 of its 71 total points with five players scoring in double figures. Reed Hazard topped the list with 17 points, while Parker Esary recorded a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds).

Jordan Pyle was the lone Saint in the scoring column to finish in double figures. She totaled 13 points to go along with a team best eight rebounds.

Up Next
The Saints close out Cactus Classic play on Tuesday facing NAIA No.16 ranked Vanguard University (Calif.) at 1 pm Central time.

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