DE WITT, N.Y. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking a positive start to the new year and a rare win will meet Friday when the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash visit the Le Moyne Dolphins in a non-conference women’s basketball game at Ted Grant Court.

Both programs have struggled through difficult non-conference slates. Saint Francis (PA) enters at 0-11, while Le Moyne holds a 2-11 mark. The matchup, organized by the Northeast Conference, represents one of the final tune-ups before each team dives into its league schedule.

The Red Flash are searching for their first victory under first-year coach and will lean on guard Cassandra Hawthorne. She is coming off a season-high 24-point performance in a 61-86 loss at Fordham on Dec. 21, adding five rebounds and two assists. Consistency has been an issue, however, as she was held to four points against Pittsburgh and five against Xavier in the preceding games.

Le Moyne snapped a seven-game skid with a 67-55 home victory over Division III SUNY Geneseo on Tuesday. Forward Ashley Buragas led the way with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists in that win. She has been a bright spot, averaging 13 points and eight rebounds in a loss to Bowling Green on Dec. 16.

Saint Francis has faced a brutal road-heavy schedule, with nine of its 11 games away from home. Its offense has sputtered, failing to reach 55 points in eight contests. Le Moyne’s two wins have come at home, offering a glimmer of hope as it returns to Ted Grant Court.

This game is the first of a home-and-home series between the future NEC rivals, with the Dolphins scheduled to visit Saint Francis on Feb. 7.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Friday.