ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's basketball team suffered a tough one-point loss in the first road trip of the season, falling to Flagler 63-62 on the Saints' home floor on Saturday. The Eagles move to 2-1 on the year, while the Saints improve their overall record to 4-1.
 
Following an even start that resulted in a 7-7 tie early on, the Eagles jumped out to a 12-7 lead, but the Saints, who were helped by seven Eagle turnovers, outscored ERAU 13-5 in the last 5:22 to claim a 20-17 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
The second frame saw the Eagles' shooting improve considerably. They were 10-of-18 from the field, including an impressive 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. The Blue and Gold outscored the Saints 26-16 in the period and took a 43-36 advantage into the halftime break.
 
The Eagles were able to build the lead to 10 points (56-46) heading into the final frame, but the fourth quarter belonged to the Saints. The Eagles were scoreless in the first three and a half minutes of the frame and that allowed Flagler to cut the lead to four (56-52). Nikki Tucker finally ended the Eagles' scoring drought with a jumper at the 6:22 mark.
 
With just over five minutes remaining, Tori Pierce scored two of her game-high 21 points to make it 58-54 and after picking up a steal on the Eagles' next offensive trip, she assisted a Jaziana Mathis layup to make it a two-point game (58-56) with 4:53 left to play. Neither team was able to score again until Macee Sugrue's jump shot at the 2:34 mark. Both teams traded baskets over the next few possessions to maintain a four-point edge for the Eagles, but with 1:29 left on the clock, Pierce hit a three to pull the Saints within one (62-61).
 
Although the Eagles missed on their first shot of their next possession, they pulled down the offensive rebound and gave themselves more chances with two more offensive boards, but with 34 seconds left, Matthis rebounded an Eagle miss and got the ball to Pierce who drove to the basket and gave the Saints their first lead since the second quarter (63-62).
 
That basket would stand as the game-winning shot as the Eagles were unable to connect on their final two attempts of the game.
 
Sydney Jones turned in her second double-double performance of the season with 11 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Tucker also had a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards, while Sugrue led the Eagle offense with 14 points.
 
The Eagles' next action will come on Friday when the open play at the Rollins Classic against Mercyhurst at 4 p.m.
 
The Embry-Riddle women's basketball season is presented by Daytona Mitsubishi.