LORETTO, Pa. (Interstat) — In a matchup of teams seeking momentum in Northeast Conference play, the Le Moyne women’s basketball team used a dominant defensive performance and a career-high scoring effort from Ashley Buragas to secure a 62-50 road victory over Saint Francis (PA) on Saturday afternoon at DeGol Arena.

The game’s most critical sequence arrived late in the third quarter, with Le Moyne clinging to a narrow lead. After Saint Francis (PA), known as the Red Flash, had cut the deficit to 32-30 on a Makyiah Ward layup with 4:30 left in the period, the Dolphins responded with a decisive 7-0 run. The surge was capped by a Sierra Linnin three-pointer, assisted by Buragas, pushing the lead to 39-30. This run provided the necessary cushion for Le Moyne, as Saint Francis (PA) would never get closer than seven points for the remainder of the contest.

Buragas, a 6-foot-1 forward from Hopewell Junction, N.Y., was the engine for the Dolphins, scoring 23 points on efficient 6-of-11 shooting from the floor and a near-perfect 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. She added eight rebounds, three assists and a block in 26 minutes, controlling the interior against a taller Saint Francis lineup. Her performance built on a strong recent stretch, including a 13-point outing in a win over Wagner just two days prior.

Sydney Postell provided crucial support for Le Moyne with 12 points and six rebounds in 33 minutes, while Eli Clark added eight points and three assists. The Dolphins improved to 7-18 overall.

The Red Flash, who fell to 2-21, were led by Sonia Sato’s 13 points and Gemma Walker’s 11 points. Makyiah Ward contributed nine points and six rebounds off the bench. Despite forcing 21 Le Moyne turnovers and converting them into 16 points, Saint Francis (PA) was ultimately undone by frigid shooting. The team managed only 16 made field goals on 62 attempts, a 25.8% clip, and hit just 5 of 26 from three-point range.

Le Moyne established its approach early, leveraging a significant advantage at the foul line and in the paint. The Dolphins attempted 22 free throws, making 20, compared to the Red Flash’s 14 attempts. Le Moyne also outscored Saint Francis (PA) 30-14 in the paint, with Buragas serving as the primary catalyst.

Defensively, the Dolphins limited the Red Flash to single-digit scoring in the pivotal third quarter, holding them to just nine points on 3-of-16 shooting. That defensive stand, coupled with the ensuing 7-0 run, effectively decided the game’s trajectory.

The game was a rematch of a Jan. 2 meeting in Syracuse, which Le Moyne won 73-69. This victory gives the Dolphins a season sweep of the conference series.

Saint Francis (PA) struggled to find consistent offense outside of brief spurts. The team’s 50 points marked its second-lowest output of the season. Giselle Eke, a 6-3 center, grabbed eight rebounds but was limited to two points.

Le Moyne will look to build on the win when it travels to face Chicago State on Feb. 14. Saint Francis (PA) will hit the road for its next contest, also on Feb. 14, against Mercyhurst.