Barons Lose in Buzzer Beater Ending

GREENSBURG, PA - The Franciscan University of Steubenville men's basketball team lost 74-71 to a 3-point buzzer-beater at the University of Pitt-Greensburg Thursday night. The close loss now brings the Barons record to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

Franciscan led the game by as many as 17 and held a 40-35 lead going into the half. It was not until the nine minute mark in the second half that the Bobcats where able to claim a lead.

Barons senior Matt Leidel (Erie, MI/St. Mary Cathedral Central HS) was able to tie the game 71-71 with 22 second remaining.

After a UPG timeout, the Bobcats freshman Damian Founds (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny) carried the ball into the Franciscan zone and dished a pass to junior Josh Kucenic (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) who hit the nothing but net 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded.

Leidel, the AMCC Player of the Week, was able to put up 26 points, shooting 55.5 percent on the night (10-18), 100 percent from the line (3-3). Leiel also had four steals and grabbed three rebounds. Senior Josh Ducoulombier (Manhattan Beach, CA/St. John Bosco HS) was able to contribute 18 points and 8 rebounds

The Barons look to upset first place and undefeated conference foe Medaille College this Saturday at home, 7 p.m. in the Finnegan Fieldhouse.