PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Franciscan University women's basketball team could not match an offensive first half surge from top seeded AMCC team La Roche College, losing the game 74-44.

FUS stumbled out of the gate, landing on the wrong end of a 20-2 run that kept them out of reach early. Franciscan stopped some of the bleeding as they ended the first half 38-19. Head coach, Suzy Delaney said her team was able to play harder in the second half but could not make up the point differential.

"We played harder on the offensive end in the second half," Delaney said. "We looked to run the floor more and push the tempo."

Franciscan came out after the break and shot 32.1 percent, an eight percent increase from their first half percentage. The team also pulled down 30 boards.

Sophomore forward Lacey Huck recorded her fourth consecutive double double with 24 points and 14 rebounds, giving her 10 double-doubles on the season.

"She really came out and played hard," Delaney said. "She knows how to keep her head down and keep playing. She works to improve every time she takes the floor."

Franciscan will have another chance to prove themselves against a top team in the conference as they prepare for their last home game of the season against second seeded Medaille College on Saturday, February 9 at 1 pm.