STEUBENVILLE—The Franciscan University Baron basketball team welcomed its first victory in over a month against the Penn State Altoona Lions Wednesday night. With a score of 69-64, the Barons broke their ten game losing streak and boosted their season standings to 3-12 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.
"This game was a real test of character. We have fought so hard all year," said head coach Sean Donovan. "To come off a devastating triple overtime loss [against Hilbert College] was hard—the guys had fight and determination tonight and I'm proud of them for it."
The Barons were due a victory. Many of the defeats they've shouldered this season were losses by only a few points, an extra dig into any losing team's side.
"Tonight's big difference," explained Donovan, "was that we had a first half that was sort of flat, but we rose to the challenge in the second." Ending the first half 28-24 behind the Lions, the Barons dramatically improved their second half shooting percentages to more than double their points.
"A lot of guys had some big minutes off the bench, and I can't emphasize how important that was," said Donovan. Most notable was freshman guard John Trabbic and senior Shane Crump.
Seniors Thomas Kleinschnitz, Connor Flanagan, and Nate Stanton proved to be the game's trifecta. "Connor and Nate made some big threes at crucial points in the game," said Donovan. The Barons shot 39 percent from the three-point line—just enough to edge out Penn State's 27 percent. Kleinschnitz led offensively with 24 points, four assists and five steals on the night. Flanagan followed close behind with 21 points and nine rebounds, and Stanton added 15.
The Barons will look to add another win this Saturday, February 12, as the team travels to Erie, Pa., to take on Penn State Behrend. Tipoff is 4 p.m.
General admission prices are $3 per ticket. Students 13-18 and senior citizens are admitted for $1. Children 12 and under, FUS students with ID, and FUS staff and family are admitted for free.
