WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- Jesse Steele led Monmouth (N.J.) with 17 points as the Hawks held off St. Francis (Pa.) for a 65-60, Northeast Conference victory Thursday night.

Steele was 6-of-15 shooting, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range, as Monmouth (6-10, 1-2) knocked down 9 of 20 from beyond the arc.

The Red Flash (2-13, 1-2) held a 42-37 advantage in rebounds but shot just 31 percent (18 of 58) from the field and couldn't overcome a 37-28 halftime deficit.

St. Francis closed the gap quickly with a 10-2 run early in the second half and trailed Monmouth 41-38. The Red Flash led briefly following Dominique Major's 3-pointer with 10:36 left and forced a 52-all tie on Earl Brown's three-point play with 8:39 remaining, but committed five turnovers in the ensuing 5 minutes as Monmouth pulled away.

Brown had 11 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double.