STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – Despite trailing by only one point, 20-19, at halftime, the Franciscan University men's basketball team turned the ball over fifteen times in the second half and fell to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, 62-44. The Barons are now 0-5 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference and 0-13 on the season.

The Barons showed a solid defensive focus for a second straight game. In the two contests this weekend against Penn State Behrend and Pitt-Bradford, Franciscan's scoring defense averaged 63.5 points per game, which is almost 20 points below their season average of 81.2.

“We are finally playing team defense,” FUS head coach John Lamanna said. “We are playing as a unit instead of single handedly.”

Franciscan utilized their team play and garnered hard-earned rebounding stats. They outrebounded Bradford, 33-30.

“This is very important to us,” Lamanna said. “That is something that we have really put a lot of emphasis on.”

Peter Mooney, one of Franciscan's point guards, was determined on the glass as he finished with a game-high nine rebounds.

“I'm extremely pleased with Peter Mooney. He really pursued the ball well,” Lamanna said. “This is the best in game pursuit he's shown since I have coached him.”

Joseph Rine also played a strong game shooting 50 percent from the floor and scoring eight points. Rine is currently ranked ninth in NCAA Division III blocks per game. He added four blocks to his dominant total.

“[Joe Rine] is really the key to a balanced attack offensively and defensively,” Lamanna said. “We want to spread the ball around the court, and his excellent shot selection gives us that ability.”

The Barons look to focus on cohesiveness and ball control before their home game against the La Roche College Redhawks on Wednesday, Jan 9, at 8 p.m.