BRADFORD, PA – The Franciscan University of Steubenville Barons basketball team went head-to-head against University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on Saturday, falling 97-83.  The Barons now stand 5-13 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference and 6-16 overall.

The Barons defense started strong, holding Pitt-Bradford's high-powered offense to 30 points in the first half.   The Barons used a controlled, balanced offensive attack and took a 39-30 advantage into the locker room.

Unfortunately for the Barons, the Panthers rallied at the beginning of the second half, hitting three straight three-pointers to even the score.  Gradually Pitt-Bradford pulled ahead and took a 73-58 lead that was never relinquished.

Despite the loss the Barons once again demonstrated a wide range of offensive firepower.  Thomas Kleinschnitz led in scoring with 20 points.  Matt Liedel added 17 points and Josh Ducoulombier, Pete Burak, and Sam Titus contributed 16, 14, and 10 points, respectively. 

“We played a great first half tonight, but Pitt-Bradford got on a shooting tear at the start of the second half,” Barons coach Sean Donovan remarked.  “We still shot extremely well, but they just outdid us.  They shot 66% in the second half and there's just no defense for that.  Basketball is a game of runs – when you get on a run, you're going to make your shots even if there is good defense.  They just had a few better runs than we did tonight.”

The Barons host Frostburg State at the Finnegan Fieldhouse this Monday at 8 p.m.