STEUBENVILLE—For the first time in recent school history, the Franciscan University of Steubenville Baron basketball team pushed Saturday evening's game against the Hilbert College Hawks into triple overtime. Losing 91-84, the chance for a win was dropped as Franciscan fouled out three starters, giving Hilbert the opportunity to gain valuable free-throw points.
"Anyone out there in the crowd witnessing this game saw two teams go head-to-head, laying it all out on the floor," said head coach Sean Donovan. "And that's all you can ask for."
A three-pointer by Hilbert's Chris Parrott in the last second of regulation time tied the score 60-60. Constant back-and-forth shooting left the score 71-71 and the teams headed into double overtime. In the last 30 seconds, senior Nate Stanton hit a three-pointer to send the game into triple overtime, 79-79. Two three-point shots by Chris Hoak gave the Hawks an advantage as Connor Flanagan and Thomas Kleinschnitz followed Frank Murray to the bench with five fouls apiece. The free-throw opportunities for Hilbert were enough to widen the gap and give the Hawks the win.
"It was an outstanding performance by both teams," Donovan added. "And Thomas Kleinschnitz had a phenomenal performance for Franciscan tonight." The senior guard totaled 33 points on the night and added nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while seeing very little resting time on the bench.
"In the locker room [before the game], I spoke to the boys about how we have to fight," said Donovan. "We have to work hard, grit our teeth, and make sure every loose ball is ours.
"All 55 minutes, we gave it our all," he continued. "The boys played to the point of exhaustion tonight." Donovan made his final note about one of the seniors: "Nate Stanton, in his overall play, put us in a position to win. He demonstrated the heart of a warrior."
Stanton's three-pointer gave a third a final opportunity to win the game as he shot 12 points on the night with seven rebounds and two steals.
Coach Donovan surmised that the opposing team made more free-throws than the Barons, which could have been one thing that could have changed and improved the game. Hilbert shot 68 percent from the free-throw line while Franciscan hit only 57 percent. "But there's no reason for us to hang our heads," Donovan added.
The Barons are now 2-17 overall and 2-12 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The team will take to their home court again this Wednesday, February 9, hosting Penn State Altoona. Game time is set for 8 p.m.
