ALTOONA, Pa.—After their disappointing loss to Penn State Altoona on Jan. 11, the Franciscan University Lady Barons were determined to put forth a better face. In the rematch--just one month later--they did just that, engaging the Lady Lions in a fierce tussle and playing with a new intensity indicative of several weeks' hard training. 

Despite their efforts, however, a rough first half left the Lady Barons struggling to regain lost ground and ultimately resulted in a Lady Lion victory, 72-63.

"We were not quite ourselves in the first half," said Franciscan head coach Luke Heusel. "The second half is what the girls are capable of doing. You just can't let a team have that lead." 

The second half saw a fresh start to the game as Heusel sent in his second string and began applying full court pressure. "The intensity of Bethany Potvin, Louise Craig and Kristin Belleque, along with Allyson Cooney, Elizabeth Mitchell and Molly Coogan really got it started in the second half," noted Heusel. 

Belleque held the team-high in rebounds on the night, with 13, while Lacey Huck and Amy O'Keefe were the team's high-scorers with 18 and 16 points, respectively.  

"Kristin really played hard," said Heusel, "Amy O'Keefe got rolling in the second half, and Lacey is a good freshman. Those girls really were the 'big three' tonight."

Although the loss came as a blow following last Saturday's victory, Heusel said the team really showed what they were made of in the second half, holding the Lady Lions at bay and narrowing the gap from a 20 point game to 11. 

"The best thing about the girls is they don't roll over, or start pouting when things go badly—they get in and keep at it."

With their standings at 2-19 for the overall season and 2-13 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, the Lady Barons face Penn State Behrend at home, Saturday, Feb. 11. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.