Coaching Legacy of Erik Berg

[iceberg210]

St. Francis of Pennsylvania Announces New Basket Ball Coach

In a press conference earlier today it was announced that a 24 year old would be soon leading the Red Flash Men's basketball team. To many people while the coaching change didn't come as any surprise the person who will soon be coaching the team is.

A relatively unknown on the East Coast Erik Berg grew up in Salt Lake City before moving to Seattle for college at the University of Washington and lived and coached there for 5 years during and after going to school. In Seattle he coached mainly at the high school level although the year before he left he helped out on an intern sort of basis with the Washington Huskies under Lorenzo Romar. He then went on to be an assistant coach at Portland St after moving down to Oregon with his wife. Berg spent two years there focusing mainly on defense before heading out East. "Honestly I never really knew about the Flash before I had been contacted by the University. But I figured I'd take a look came out for a visit and loved the area especially and thought boy this would be a great place to move to start a career and a family," Berg said when asked about his decision to come out to St. Francis. "For my wife and I we both felt this would be a great place to live and just to do something different, both of us have lived our entire lives in the West so it seemed like a great opportunity to enjoy the opposite side of the country. We found a great place up by Glendale Lake and look forward to taking care of our new farm as well as bringing lots of success to St. Francis." His wife has been offered and accepted a consoling job at the University as well.

When asked about his plan for the Flash who have had many seasons of depressing performances including last years dismal 4-24 record he talked a lot about defense and tempo. "How I coach teams is to be strong on defense. I run mainly a man defense although 2-3 zones are common as well. Defense is what wins you games and especially with this team where we have a lot of offensive talent defense is going to be key to our resurgence. Rebounding and ball handling are also incredibly important as they allow you extra chances and also don't give your opponent extra chances. A team the is beat on the boards and loses the turn over battle is a team that will lose a lot of games. In terms of offense I'll run anything that happens to be working the most important thing for me is that we control the tempo, whether fast or slow isn't the point its a matter of being in control that is imperative."

In the coming weeks he will have to fix up the roster, start recruiting, cement the schedule which he has already hinted has some major changes coming to it, and other tasks. Certainly all the Flash fans are hoping this unknown will become known real well for Flash success and soon.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[skarface2k1]

WELCOME TO THE LEGACY ROOM.i WILL BE CHECKING YOUR POST.cOACH SANDERS OF WISCONSIN OUT.

[iceberg210]

Thanks...
Just for clarification purposes I'm Erik Berg working on a new legacy and if any one has any suggestions please send them right on my way. For everyone's information I'm trying to put this out like its whatever college I'm at sports' section of the college newspaper. My settings for everyone's information is all american and 20 minute halves. This might not be a great idea given the fact that I'm new to CH2k7 and I haven't played a basket ball game in ages I figure I can learn it fast enough and that also my learning curve will mimic to some extent that of a new head coach's.

Thanks for staying tune I'll have updates every couple of days

Erik Berg
Head Coach St. Francis (PA)

[LiAu41]

I can't wait to see what you do. Don't worry if you have a rough first year, mine was a stinker. We didn't even make our conference tourney. Next year we were in the big dance. I'll be following! Good Luck!

[iceberg210]

St. Francis Releases Newly Revised Tough Schedule

When Coach Erik Berg was first interviewed about what he was planning for the Flash he hinted at some schedule changes but I don't think anyone expected this. About the only thing that has stayed the same is the conference schedule and I'm sure Berg would have tried to have the Flash play in the Big East if he had the shot. After last year where the toughest team we played was Penn St. Berg has really toughened up his schedule and his shot at a successful first season. "What this does for us is two fold, first it shows we are serious about our program here and willing to play anyone, anywhere, anytime. Secondly it will give our players valuable experience that will be vital latter on in the season."

Regardless of if Coach Berg is right on these points he fails to mention how likely blow outs against the likes of Ohio St and Florida will help the team. For example at one point of the season the Flash have to play three games in three nights including a road game at Ohio St as the middle one. It doesn't stop at that though as the Flash on December 1st and 2nd play at UCLA and at Florida respectively.

"Its tough I know but it puts us on the map and will help us in many facets including recruiting. If people see us playing national powers they'll have more respect for the program and it will be easier to get people to come here in general. It gives us positive name recognition as a school as well as a team." Well Coach if anyone wants to come to a school so they can have their basketball team blown out every night by 30 to 40 points you might be right.

St. Francis (PA) Red Flash 2006-2007 Schedule

November 20 SAINT BONAVENTURE
November 25 LA SALLE
November 26 @ Ohio St.
November 27 HOWARD
December 1 @ UCLA
December 2 @ Florida
December 4 @ Liberty
December 7 @ St. Francis (NY)*
December 9 @ Sacred Heart*
December 16 LIBERTY
December 22 DUQUESNE
December 30 @ Georgia Tech
January 4 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE*
January 6 QUINNIPIAC*
January 11 @ Fairleigh Dickinson*
January 13 @ Long Island*
January 18 MOUNT SAINT MARY'S*
January 20 SACRED HEART*
January 23 ROBERT MORRIS*
January 25 @ Monmouth*
January 27 @ Wagner*
February 3 @ Robert Morris*
February 8 @ Mount Saint Mary's
February 15 SAINT FRANCIS (NY)
February 17 WAGNER
February 22 @ Quinnipiac
February 24 LONG ISLAND
February 26 MONMOUTH

Home games capitalized
Conference Games*


Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[chestnutz6]

looking forward to the game against St Francis NY. My old basketball coach is an assitant there

[skarface2k1]

Good luck when are games going to be posted?

[iceberg210]

Sorry about the delay I got swamped by school and wasn't able to post the first couple games but I'll get at least one up tommarow thanks for your patience.

Erik Berg
Head Coach
St. Francis (PA)

[skarface2k1]

What's going on with the post?

[iceberg210]

St Francis Narrowly Loses First Game For Coach Berg
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In a close game last night at home the Red Flash couldn't quite give Coach Berg the victory he was looking for. "Boy that was depressing," wasn't just the first words out of Berg's mouth but out of anyone who watched the game where over and over again the Flash had chance after chance to pull ahead or come back but every time turned the ball over or took a poor shot.

"Discipline is vital, we are having major on the court discipline problems on defense and offense. We are turning the ball over far to often and blowing assignments on defense way to often," Berg said in a after game interview. The game was sloppily played with 14 turn overs for the Flash as well as having 15 fouls. The Flash shot themselves in the foot repeated but were almost able to come back in the end off Sophomore shooting guard Thurman Bachmann's threes. He had four on the game and 24 points as well as three steals. Artie Swift the Sophomore point guard remarked that "He's (Bachmann's) always been good at threes but now that he's getting to play more he can knock more down."

"Just because there were mistakes doesn't mean this was a horrible game," Berg reminded his team in the locker room. His center especially played well picking up 12 points and 18 rebounds. "Stevens was all over the place there were a couple times where I had to almost run out of his way to let him get the rebound," power forward Abram jokingly added. Abram himself picked up 6 points 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Other highlights for the Flash included red shirt freshman small forward Kanter's fantastic game where he picked up 15 points and 3 rebounds as well as a pair of assists and most importantly perhaps to the coach no turnovers.

The Flash have to go up against La Salle next in four days before heading off to Ohio St.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[knox33]

Tough loss. Hopefully your boys can pick it up for the next game.

[skarface2k1]

Sorry about the early lose.Your team should rebound from this lose and keep there heads up.

[iceberg210]

I've got a couple more games to post but I was wondering if you guys wanted box scores or anything I could do better on the game posts. Thanks for your help any input is appreciated.

Erik Berg
Head Coach
St. Francis (PA)

[iceberg210]

St. Francis Goes Down Big At Home To La Salle
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As people walked out of the Stokes Athletics Center there was a definately theme to the the discussions of the fans of the Flash. Had they ever seen Saint Francis get that creamed?

St. Francis who was down 21 points at the half was never able to get any footing or traction in route to their second straight loss against the La Salle Explorers last night at home. "It was turnovers and just plain sloppy play that killed us. We played absolutely horrible. It was depressing," Coach Berg remarked immediately following the game at a press conference. "If we play that bad we won't win a game this season." The team was equally unimpressed by their effort. Reda Stevens the Senior center for the Flash who finished the game with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists agreed in whole with the coach. "I've been here at St. Francis for 4 years. I have never once seen us play that bad or get that creamed in my life, especially at home. We've lost big on the road but this is at home!"

Stevens was one of the few bright spots for the Flash. Although their offense seemed to be quite successful their defense and ball handling was horrid. Artie Swift the sophomore point guard had 9 turnovers, Stevens had 6 and the team totaled at 23 versus La Salle's 6 on the game. Coach Berg who coming to the Flash emphasized the importance of good ball handling is becoming increasingly frustrated with his teams turnovers. "You give an opponent that many opportunities you will lose every time. Once again turn overs are killing us, until we fix that we are screwed."

Offense was about the only good thing for the Flash with all of their starters getting at least 11 points and three over 17 points. Swift finished with 17 and Thruman Bachmann again showed his offensive worth with a 20 point performance. "We're doing fine on offense we just can't shut people down when we need to," Bachmann said when interveiwed at half time. "You can score as many points as you want if the other team scores more you still lose." Bachmann and the rest of the team have to really start defending if they expect to be able to win any games.

Another disappointing aspect of the game is that the Flash stack up well on paper against teams like La Salle so although maybe a win shouldn't have been expected a blow out is a really bad sign. If the Flash don't play up to expectations it will be blamed on the coach. Already there have been rumors of pressure on the Coach Berg and the domain www.firecoachberg.com has already been bought. The junior student at the college that now owns the domain says he will give first year coach Erik Berg some more time however before he starts really filling out the website and starting a petition. "That's nice of him I guess," Berg replied when asked about the website.

The very frustrating part of this for the fans is that the Flash seemed like they were on the right track in their first game coming up just a little short while in this game they got blown out. The fans are hoping that it was this game and not the first one that was a fluke in hopes that this doesn't become just another long disappointing season like last year.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[skarface2k1]

it seems like your team needs a little more praictice.

[iceberg210]

Flash Get Trounced By Buckeyes
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In their second game in three nights the Red Flash went down big at Columbus. "We just pure out played them," stated Ohio St. guard Ray Cowen who had a career high 21 points as well a career high 6 rebounds. The whole of the Ohio St. team did an amazing job of keeping the Red Flash down and down for good. By half time they were down 54 to 35 and were never able to get any closer to the number 14 ranked Buckeyes.

"When I set us up with a tough schedule I knew that we'd get blown out some games. The key is to be able to take it in stride, hold your head up, take the experience you gained and move on," increasingly embattled Coach Berg remarked immediately following the game. "Sure I'm disappointed with how we did we have to remember the got parts. To have Bachmann get 22 points and Stevens pull down 15 boards is impressive especially against as good of a team as Ohio St."

Leave it to a coach that is now 0-3 and has been outscored by an average twenty points a ball game to find a good side on a thirty six point loss. The Red Flash fans are already starting to doubt Coach Berg's rebuilding program and the online petition that has been put up at firecoachberg.com has garnered 350+ signatures at the time of this article. After the game Berg remarked he had seen the website but that he thought it was a little too soon to be judging the whole of his efforts on three games. In a post game press conference he showed his resolve. "I agree that if we continue to play like this you owe it to yourself to fire me and do what you want with your team. However to judge some one's driving performance on the first three miles they're in the car doesn't make much sense. Nor does it make much sense to judge someone's head coaching performance on their first three games. Beyond the fact that its just ludicrous to be talking about this now we aren't even into conference play yet! It's up to you guys I don't care I'm going to continue to coach and work hard regardless of how many signatures are up there until the day I'm fired if the university is so inclined."

All of this lies the ground work for a huge game tonight against Howard where Coach Berg has a chance to show at home that his team is making progress. If the fans have their way it might be his last chance as well. "We haven't ever been a dominant team but we've never done this badly and if Berg can't do it let's get someone in there that can," Hubert J. Farnsworth a longtime Flash fan told this reporter following the Ohio St. game. He reflects a sentiment that is starting to rise in the fan base that either Berg needs to show he can get this team on the right track or St. Francis needs to cut its losses and get a new coach.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[skarface2k1]

You may need to sim this season and make a easier scheduke for your boys to play.This will give them some game knowledge.Good luck with the rest of your non-conference schedule.

[iceberg210]

St. Francis Picks Up First Win in a Close One Against Howard
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After starting the season 0-3 with two double digit loses Coach Berg seems to have St. Francis back on the right track again. "Boy it feels so good to get that first win under your belt doesn't it?" Berg said immediately following the hard fought game at the Stokes Center. "For all the people that were doubting this team as well as coach I think they see that we aren't a hopeless bunch of losers," remarked Tony Dunn following the game.

For a coach that had only been a college head coach for three games there were already tons of dissent among the Red Flash fan base and although it hasn't completely dissipated yet it has to a large extent lessened. The pressure once felt by Coach Berg seems to have been lifted to some extent and although people are still worried and not wholly convinced Berg was the right decision, the pressure to fire him has pretty much completely subsided.

After the game the Flash rallied around Berg in a huddle while he continued to coach them even though they had won and the court was being rushed by the crowd. By the time the Flash finally started making their way to the locker room a good portion of the sell out 2,500 person crowd at the Stokes center were already on the court and celebrating.

But the game wasn't easily won with St. Francis having only a three point lead at half time and missing shots at the end that could have made sure the Bison were down for good. It wasn't until a last second missed three pointer that the Flash fans could exhale as their team won their first game of the year. "There were missed opportunities everywhere but especially at the end. If we had picked up even one of the one and one free throws at the end it would have really taken off some pressure," Berg said afterwards.

However it seems that some of the things that Berg had made a big deal out of were finally starting to get across to the players. The Flash while in their last three games averaged over eighteen turn overs a game had only fourteen against Howard. "It was an improvement but we still need to handle the ball better," Coach Berg still maintained. Another reason for the win was due to St. Francis' huge rebounding edge. While the Howard Bison only collected 36 rebounds the Flash picked 43 off the glass including 24 for senior center Reda Stevens, who also had 13 points on the night including a trey. Bachmann was once again very strong for the Flash with 22 points and six assists as well continue to see the sophomore play well beyond his years. Freshman Marquis Kanter had a great night as well hitting three treys and scoring 21 points.

Although a great win for moral in the least for the Flash it is only the beginning. This was the third game in as many nights for the Flash and although they seemed to be fine in terms of fatigue and so forth the road from here just keeps getting tougher. They're next five games are on the road including back to back games on opposite sides of the country at Florida and UCLA.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[CincyFan]

nice win especially after coming from hardly no rest at all.

good luck on the upcoming road games.

[skarface2k1]

great win!Keep it up.Are you playing your games or just coaching?

[iceberg210]

I've been playing all of them with as you can see varying success. Thanks again for keeping tabs on my legacy if there is any suggestions you might have please feel free to send them my way.

Thanks

Erik Berg
Head Coach
St. Francis (PA)

[knox33]

Way to bounce back after that tough loss against OSU.

[iceberg210]

Flash Almost Ruin Bruin's Day with Coaching Masterpiece
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Last night in Los Angles Coach Berg made a name for himself and St. Francis with a hard fought almost upset against the UCLA Bruins. "I've said all year we can play against anyone and tonight we proved it!" the first year coach said in a press conference after the game. Going in against 13th ranked UCLA the result that was expected out of the Flash was along the same lines as their earlier game against Ohio St where they got trounced but instead the Flash stuck with the Bruins and almost pulled off a huge upset. "We played well and were able to really show the nation what we're made of," Sophomore point guard Artie Swift of the Flash who had 23 points on the night said following the game.

In the first nationally televised game in Red Flash men's basketball history they made the right kind of impression. "Yeah it would have been nice to win but no one thought we had this much of a chance so it is really a victory for us," the Flash's Senior center Reda Stevens remarked. Even the Bruins were quite impressed. William Foye the Bruin's starting senior guard who had 21 points leading the Bruins had this to say, "We came into this game looking at a blow out but it became obvious to us that we weren't going to get it. They stuck with us on defense and kept making their shots to the point where the game was on the line. It was very frustrating as well because they controlled the tempo and were able to keep the score low in order to benefit them immensely."

Even third year coach Ben Howland of the Bruins had positive things to say about St. Francis. "They've got a great coach there in Berg. As you can see tonight he knows what he's doing and can get his team no matter who they are to play well anywhere. St. Francis should feel very lucky they scored a great young up and coming coach. Their only concern should be trying to hold on to him because if he continues to get his players to play that well he'll be getting good offers at bigger universities soon. I know I'd love to have him on my staff."

Coach Berg also was impressed with his team and was constantly commenting on their new found success. One of the most interesting things though that Berg said was that he and Howland were already in talks about a rematch. "UCLA's a great school and provides us with a great thermometer to tell us how we're doing as a team. Hopefully we'll be able to come out here again and try our hand at the Bruins again. Even now I'm trying to set up a tour of the Pac-10 out of conference schedule in two years where we'd play maybe five to six games against the Pac-10 out west."

Although the players played well for St. Francis it was the coaching that kept them close. Firstly the Flash had a fantastic game plan of sticking to their inside out offense but slowing the tempo of the game down to a halt. "We know that in a track meet we'll lose to big schools like UCLA every time. That's what you saw happen against Ohio St," one of the assistant coaches for the Flash commented. By slowing the game down they were able to take the shots they wanted keep the Bruins from beating them on the break. Even with a brilliant game plan the Flash were down 21-29 at the half.

"It was Coach's pep talk at the half that got us going," Freshman Marquis Kanter said. "He told us that we could play with those guys and that we were good enough to win the game and as soon as we believed him we had a shot at winning the game." In the second half the Flash stormed back going up five points at about midway through the second half. In the end however the Flash let UCLA get a layup and were unable to convert against strong UCLA defense to come up short. Although they lost many are tallying this one in the win column in terms of where this team is headed and it is certainly a game that shows that Coach Berg is on the right track with this young team.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[Fry Pujols]

Good Legacy and wow tough lose against the Bruins'!

[CincyFan]

all these tough losses early on should help when you get to conference play and hopefully to the tournament.

[iceberg210]

Flash Return To Old Form Getting Eaten Alive By Gators
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Although they scored one more point than they did in last night's game on the other coast the Red Flash needed about double that in the track meet they had with the Gators. Coach Donavon of the number 1 ranked Gators said following the game that his game plan was simple. "We're faster, more athletic and have far more depth than St. Francis so my game plan was to run them up and down the court score a bunch of points and leave them in the dust."

Whatever game plan the Gators had in mind it would probably have worked on the lethargic looking Flash. "It's tough to play games on back to back nights and even worse when you have to fly cross country to do it," Coach Berg of the Flash said before boarding the flight the team had to make over night immediately following the Bruins game. "I wish we didn't have to do it but that's just how the schedule worked out I couldn't get any other big name teams on any other dates."

The game proceeded rapidly in a downwards manner for the Flash who were already down twenty seven points at the half and were never able to make any significant cut into the Gators lead. "It felt like we were hitting our heads against a brick wall. It was very disheartening," Senior Center Reda Stevens said during the half. It got no better from there with Florida going on a 12-0 run to start the second half.

About the only bright spot was the play of underclassman power forward Toni Dunn. He scored a career high 8 points and had two offensive rebounds. "With our two best power forwards graduating at the end of the year in Abram and Stevens it is important that we have guys who can step up and develop to replace them down the road. Tonight was a great step in that direction for Dunn," Berg commented after the game. Fortunately for the Flash they get a day off before they have to go face a tough Liberty team on the road.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[vols21]

tough stretch. Good showing against UCLA!! The gators are tough, no shame in that game.
You've got some games coming up that you'll have a better chance of winning - just keep playing them the way you did against the Bruins.

[iceberg210]

St. Francis Puts The Pieces Together Against Liberty
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In an impressive showing last night the Red Flash were able to get their first road win against a tough Liberty team. "We were able to go out there and play well early which gave us confidence to keep playing well the rest of the game," Freshman David Whitworth said after the game. It was the early start in many ways that helped Saint Francis come out with the win. For only the second time this year Saint Francis was able to have a lead at the half of 33-30 which set the tone for the rest of the game.

The real big key to the Flash's win was their ability to spread the ball around and get everyone involved in the offense. "When you're able to get four people in double digits in terms of points what happens is that your opponent is forced to cover everyone making it easier on everyone to get open and get good looks. Also that way if one guy gets cold you're not screwed," Coach Berg commented when he was asked about the myriad of people who were able to get points.

"It wasn't that were were shooting insanely well but rather that everyone was able to knock down a couple shots here and there that allowed us to pull away and leave the Flames behind," Senior Center Reda Stevens remarked afterwards in the locker room. For the first time this season the Flash were able to get offense from plenty of different sources. Swift finished the night with 15 points, Bachmann had 17, Freshman Kanter had 14, Senior Abram had 9, and Sophomore Pierce had 8.

Sophomore Toni Dunn once again showed that he's on the fast track in terms of development getting his first career start from Coach Berg. "I was very thankful to coach for the chance to prove myself and show what I can do. I think that after the past two games in particular coach is seeing that I'm doing something with the chances he's giving me," Dunn said after the game. He broke his old career high that had only been around two days by having 10 points on the night on five of five shotting from the field. "Dunn was quite impressive. He took good shots and showed everyone his ability tonight," Coach Berg said. On the new starting lineup Berg remarked that, "We needed more height and Dunn provides that as well as a great rebounding ability as can be seen by his seven boards on the night."

The other main reason for the Flash's win was the fact of them winning the turnover battle. While Liberty committed fifteen turnovers the Flash only had seven. It seems that Berg's emphasis on ball control is finally seeping into the heads of the players. Even the big men were able to pick some pockets with Senior forward Abram picking up six of the Flash's 14 steals. Bachmann summed it up well saying, "Overall we played well and now we've just got to continue that on through into conference play."

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[CincyFan]

thats the way to get back on track with a win. now lets ride that momentum.

[iceberg210]

Kanter Dominates In Win Over Rival Terriers
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In the Flash's first conference game Freshman Marquis Kanter was a man on a mission to give them a win. He succeeded with flying colors. Coach Berg was especially impressed with his Freshman forward's performance, "He just was amazing out there. There isn't really much I can say except wow." Wow is exactly what the Terriers of Saint Francis New York were saying as they watched their home conference opener go south.

The Flash were able to gain control of the game early in their second straight win and their third overall. "We've really turned a corner here I think. We're playing with confidence and playing smart which was what we couldn't ever seem to do earlier this year," Senior Reda Stevens added after the game. Having said that however Berg still had some beefs, "Part of it is that we aren't experienced at winning games so that we did have a tough time holding on to the lead. Especially late we had a bit of trouble holding on." Although the Flash led 52-35 at the half they got outscored by twelve in the second half and came up winning only by five. "If we want to continue to win we have to learn to close out the game," added Berg afterwards.

With the negatives however there were huge positives. In only his second start Toni Dunn picked up 4 boards, 4 steals and broke his career high in points for the third straight game with 12 on the night. Artie Swift had six assists and sixteen points. Even the subs got in on the action with Freshman Swanson contributing six rebounds and three assists. "Everyone seemed to be able to play well," freshman David Whitworth remarked in the locker room after the game.

However the big star and story of the game was the red shirt Freshman small forward Marquis Kanter. He was simply on fire and the Terriers were helpless trying to put water on the flames. He lit up the score board with 41 points on 15-25 shooting including 7 of 12 from three point land and 4 for 4 from the charity strike. "There was nothing I or anybody on our team was able to do against him," Terrier forward Frondsen observed. Kanter also grabbed six rebounds three of them offensive. He was all over the court with two steals and assists on the night as well.

The Flash are really starting to show they are on the right track and what is particularly impressive is the development of their young players. Kanter, Dunn, Swift and Bachmann just to name a few are really showing promise and are making Flash fans not only optimistic about this year but about the years to come as well. The Terriers will have a chance latter this season to try and at least tie the "battle of the name" rivalry they have with the Flash. Riding a two game winning streak the Flash get to try and tie their win total from all of last year against Sacred Heart next.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

[iceberg210]

Flash Bury Sacred Heart With Threes
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In they're second straight conference road game the Flash found their stroke from beyond the arch to stay undefeated in conference play and extend their win streak to three games. "When good things start happening they tend to get you on a bit of a roll now we just have to keep rolling," Coach Berg remarked after the game. "Having said that we have to keep up the good work and not get complacent."

The Flash started out unable to get anything inside but were able to hit anything and everything once they got downtown scoring their first twenty one points by treys. "They just started going down early and never really went out the rest of the game," shooting guard and three point marksman Thurman Bachmann said in a post game press conference. The Flash were lights out from beyond the arch with 20 for 40 shooting on three point shots. Bachman finished the night with thirty one points including shooting 9 of 18 from downtown. Freshman Kanter also had a great night with twenty points and seven of twelve shooting from three point land. "We all were able to get them down regardless of who put them up," Point Guard Artie Swift added. He himself was three for four on the night with threes.

The Flash all season have been impressive and dangerous from beyond the arch but tonight was even above and beyond their usual. The coach of Sacred Heart told his team before the game that they had to guard the perimeter but as he said at half time "It didn't seem to matter what we did to them they still hit their shots and we could not shut them down what so ever." Coach Berg has previously expressed the importance of the outside shooting game in order to open up the inside for the big men and a game like this is the right step in that direction for the Flash.

Even though the big men weren't scoring as much in this game they came up big on the boards. This allowed the Flash to have extra scoring opportunities. Senior center Reda Stevens picked up sixteen rebounds and sophomore Toni Dunn picked up ten rebounds for himself including three off the offensive side of the ball. Beyond the rebounding the ball handling was instrumental in securing a Flash blow out. The Flash only committed nine turnovers with most of them coming late in the game due to full court press by the Pioneers. The Flash also were able to get great opportunities off the pass with Artie Swift being vital to their offensive success. He finished the night with a double double with 15 points and 13 assists to add to his two steals and one rebound.

As the Flash ready to go back home they are starting to feel, look and play with a whole new attitude. Where as before they often looked run down and worried that they wouldn't be able to do anything on either side of the ball Coach Berg has instilled in a fantastic sense of confidence in this young team that is starting to really show results in their play. The Flash get to play two non conference games on the road before a final non conference tune up against Georgia Tech.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

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Sorry about the month off I've been away from home on vacation and looking at my college next year but look for two to three updates at least by the end of the week. Thanks for your patience.

Erik Berg
Head Coach St. Francis PA

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St. Francis Pulls Away From Liberty in Second Half For Fourth Straight Win
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In their first game back at home after a five game road trip the Flash gave their fans a taste of what has been happening out side of Stokes Arena. Over the last four games the Flash have looked excellent with two conference wins and two wins over a tough Liberty team. "The pieces are just starting to fall together and because of that we've started getting some serious success," Coach Berg said after the game. "Everyone stepped up especially in the second half to give us the win tonight. With that kind of effort day in and day out this is one dangerous team," he added.

Tonight it was the guards that really stepped up to the occasion. Sophomore Artie Swift had 18 points on the night which is the second highest game total in his career. He also passed out seven assists and was strong throughout the full thirty minutes he was on the court. "When I'm not making mistakes I think I'm pretty good at what I do and I think that showed tonight especially," Swift commented in a court side interview. Thurman Bachmann also had what is becoming somewhat of a normal night for him with 23 points on 7-14 shooting from beyond the arch. "Bachmann has provided a steady offensive presence throughout the season," Swift went on to add. "What he enables us to do is two pronged. First he provides an outside threat that opens up the inside for our big men and he provides us with a reliable scorer day in and day out."

However one trend is starting to scare the coach and rightfully so. The Flash were once again out rebounded. So although their center Reda Stevens had 11 rebounds due to the lack of offensive rebounding especially the Flash weren't afforded the second chance opportunities that the Flames were. "Rebounding is what we absolutely have to work on," Berg said during half time and after the game.

On the plus side it seems that the Flash have finally gotten Berg's turnover message. They committed just 11 on the night but stole the ball 20 times from the Flames. St. Francis' Sophomore power forward Toni Dunn picked up 5 of the steals as well to go with his 7 rebounds. The Flames coach even made a point of the fact that it was in turnovers that his team lost the game. "When you give them the ball that many times and give your opponent more opportunities than you get it is hard to win games as we found out tonight."

The Flash have two more non conference games left before they resume conference play. The first of the two games is at home against Duqueshe a team that so far this year is 1-8 but Berg has warned his troops that they are a good team in a tough conference and with a tough schedule. "You can't overlook anyone, ever. If you do you lose," was his post game locker room advice. For all the Red Flash fans out there I can only hope they take his warning unlike other years where the Flash have collapsed under their own success.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University

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Red Flash Holds Off Duquesne With Balanced Attack
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In their second game of a two game home stand St. Francis gave their packed out arena full of fans exactly what they wanted another win. Now with five wins in a row and a record of 6-5 the Flash are really starting to get some momentum behind them as well as tons of support from their till now disappointed fan base.

It was the first half that was especially positive for St. Francis as they were leading the Dukes 53-32 at the half. However the Flash almost handed Duquesne only their second win of the season with a mediocre second half getting outscored 49-37. "When you play with that kind of a lead you can get over confident and that's what we saw tonight," Coach Berg chided after the game. In the second half the Flash looked almost lethargic unable to get anything really going until the very end where they gave themselves a bit more distance from the Dukes in the closing minutes. "You have to remember that not only are we a young team but last year they only won four games so they've never really had to learn how to maintain and keep a lead once they got one. I've noticed it now that we're starting to get decent sized leads and it is definitely something that we need to work on strategically," Berg went on to add.

But over all this was a great game for the Flash where the Flash showed what they can do with a balanced game plan. "The idea is always balance its just that sometimes certain things work better than others and lately for us that has been the perimeter game. It's nothing against the inside game but until recently it wasn't near as successful and we are going to do the successful offense no matter what it is," Berg said on a local radio show earlier this week. Obviously we are starting to see what he's talking about. Sophomore forward Toni Dunn finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, Thurmann Bachmann finished with 31 points and both Kanter and Swift were in double figures points wise.

"When you see that many people in double figures its a great sign because it means that the offense can work even when someone is cold like I was today," Senior Reda Stevens jokily commented. He finished the night only 1 for 4 from the field and only two points although he had 13 rebounds. Rebounding was another main reason for the victory as the turnovers were only slightly in the Flash's favor the close rebounding make up the rest with even small forward Kanter getting in on the action with 6. The Flash's ability to find the open man was their other big triumph in this one with Swift collecting eight assists and the team having nineteen on the night.

Now St. Francis starts a real tough stretch with a road game at ACC power house Georgia Tech followed by two tough home games and then two tough road games. However it looks as though the Flash are in pretty good shape with their first above .500 record in three years this well may be a good year.

Phillip J. Fry
Men's Basketball Reporter
Flash News, Your source for the latest Red Flash news, St Francis University