PHILADELPHIA – Despite a late surge and a career night from Gabby Casey, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team came up just short, falling 75–73 to Dayton on Saturday afternoon inside Hagan Arena.
 
Faith Stinson helped Saint Joseph's jump out to a quick 6-0 start over the opening 2:10 of play. Dayton broke a three-minute scoring drought with a 3-pointer, sparking a 12-2 run in a fast-paced opening quarter. The Flyers, who entered averaging just 5.5 three-pointers per game, knocked down their fourth of the quarter with 23 seconds remaining before Cecilia Kay found room for a lay-in with five seconds left to cut the deficit to 18-14.
 
The teams exchanged baskets over the first five minutes of the second quarter, trading a 13-13 stretch before the Hawks tied the game behind a 6-0 run spearheaded by Gabby Casey. Dayton scored four of the next six points to give the Flyers a two-point lead at the break.
 
Both teams traded runs in the opening stages of the second half, with Dayton opening on a 10-0 spurt to extend the lead to double digits. The Hawks answered with a 7-0 spurt of their own to cut the deficit to three with just under six minutes to play. The Flyers once again pushed the lead to more than 10 points after answering with another 8-0 charge, eventually taking a 60-51 lead into the fourth.
 
Trailing by nine, Jill Jekot capped off a 6-0 run with back-to-back layups to close the gap to three with 3:59 to play. Points from Dayton were countered by Casey, who scored 13 of her game-high 29 points in the final quarter, to keep the score at one possession. Trailing by three with 19 seconds, the Hawks were unable to connect on an opportunity to score a quick two. Despite a 3-pointer from Casey in the final seconds, the Flyers had extended the lead enough at the free throw line to seal a 75-73 win.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Gabby Casey set a career high with 29 points, shooting 12-for-20 (60.0%) from the field, adding seven rebounds and two steals.
• Faith Stinson added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists while Jill Jekot finished as the third Hawk in double figures with 11 points.
• Rhian Stokes scored nine points to go along with her four assists and two steals.
• St. Joe's shot 31-for-67 (46.3%) from the floor and nearly doubled Dayton's paint production, holding a 48-26 edge.
• The Flyers finished 28-for-51 (54.9%) from the floor and 9-for-19 (47.4%) from 3-point range to overcome a 13-7 deficit in turnovers. Dayton held a 25-9 advantage in bench scoring.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Joseph's returns to action on the back-end of a two-game homestand, taking on George Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. on ESPN+.