BUFFALO, N.Y.—The six-game winning drought is over for Franciscan University's Lady Baron basketball team with a defeat over Hilbert College Saturday afternoon. The 59-56 win was a down to the wire victory for the Lady Barons as the Hilbert offensive pushed until the final minute of the game.

"We got off to a great start and were up by 12, but then we started to slow down," noted head coach Luke Heusel. "Hilbert came back and really battled."

Hilbert's Magan Campbell proved to be the leader of the battle, carrying 11 points for the Hawks on the half, leading the team to 30-29 score at halftime.

"It really was a struggle throughout the middle of the game," said Heusel, "but we played some really good defense which gave us just enough breathing room to get to the win."

Point guard Christine Conrad led the Lady Barons with 21 points on the day, with freshman Hannah Flanagan adding 16 points off the bench.

"I am very pleased with Christine and Hannah," Heusel added. "Hannah is coming off the bench and really progressing and contributing to this team, and Christine is coming into her own now as the point guard. She's going to be a great leader for us."

As the battle waged back and forth, the Lady Barons offensive rebounds and steady defense proved to be key to getting the win. Franciscan tallied 30 offensive rebounds to Hilbert's 12, and totaled 12 steals. Coach Heusel remarked that he was especially pleased with the team's rebounds and the way the girls went after the ball. "It was a battle and you have to be tough and go after the ball—they did a good job of getting that done and playing good defense," he said.

Caitlin Donovan and Sarah Viancourt also added much needed points for the Lady Barons, contributing nine and six, respectively. Steady senior Marian Weber tallied 13 rebounds, three assists and four steals on the day.

The Lady Barons get little rest as they gear up for tomorrow's game against D'Youville College. Game time is set for 1 p.m.