HAMBURG, N.Y. — The Franciscan University of Steubenville Lady Baron basketball team gave an outstanding performance Saturday evening, keeping pace with the Lady Hawks of Hilbert College to bring home their second win of the season, 57-53.

With 15 lead changes and 10 ties throughout the game, Franciscan's head coach Luke Heusel noted that the teams were evenly matched.

"They've got some good inside play … and so do we," he said. "Really, the entire game was a battle. They [the Lady Barons] stayed in the fight and got a win."

Solid teamwork helped turn the tide in favor of the Lady Barons on the day. While freshman Amy O'Keefe held the team high of 14 points, Lady Baron captain Christine Conrad was close behind with 12 points, playing a major part in helping seal the win with two clutch free throws.

"Lacey Huck continued good play, making some big free throws down the stretch," Heusel said of the freshman player who, at 12 points (four of them free throws), tied with Conrad for the second highest score in the game. "Kristin Belleque and Louise Craig contributed at key moments, too." Belleque and Craig had five and eight points, respectively.

The Lady Baron defense showed its continuous improvement as well. "The girls answered the bell a couple of times when we needed defensive stops," said Heusel, adding that as the girls look forward to even greater achievements during the next few regular season games, "It's all about the defense." 

Now sitting 2-18 overall on their season and 2-12 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, the Lady Barons travel to Penn State Altoona this Wednesday, Feb 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.