STEUBENVILLE—It is still a matter of joining the halves together for Franciscan University of Steubenville's Lady Barons basketball team as they bounced back from a slow first half to generate a better second half offense against sharp-shooting Mount Aloysius College. Defeated 76-53 by the Lady Mounties, the Lady Barons slip to a 1-10 standing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

"We were down by 26 at the half and got it to a 14 point deficit," said head coach Luke Heusel. Heading to the locker rooms with a crushing score of 42-16, the Lady Barons returned to the court and more than tripled their meager first half points.  

Despite generating a better offense in the second half, Coach Heusel noted that "we didn't hustle enough on defense, and they were a good-shooting team," causing the Lady Barons to fall far behind Mount Aloysius. The Lady Mounties shot 45 percent from the field, 47 percent from the three-point line, and 79 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Barons couldn't keep up, shooting 36 percent from the field, 30 percent from the three, and 41 percent from the free-throw line.

"What killed us was not getting back in transition. It was a good comeback, but we fell a little bit short," said Heusel.

Senior Sarah Clemente and freshman Molly Coogan were the standout players on the night. Clemente tallied 11 points and five rebounds, while Coogan totaled 19 points and two rebounds. Point guard Christine Conrad added six rebounds, nine points, and one assist.

With an overall record of 2-14 and seven more games before the end of their season, Coach Heusel stays positive: "We just need to keep them closer and keep working."

The Lady Barons travel to their next game this Saturday, January 29, to take on the AMCC number one team Medaille College. Tipoff is schedule for 2 p.m.