BETHANY, W.V.—Franciscan University's women's basketball team won their second game of the season against Bethany College with a nail-biting last five minutes. Franciscan made a major come back from being down 15 points in the final five minutes to winning the game 82-78.

"It was an awesome comeback," head coach Suzy Delaney said. "We were with them pretty much the whole game but we were down by about ten at half time."

A back and forth second half started with Franciscan down 42-32. Although the Lady Barons played a balanced game, they couldn't quite break the Lady Bison's lead until the very end.

"I am just so proud of the girls effort especially because we're playing with 6 players," Delaney said. "It's incredible effort after that whole game to turn up the pressure like they did in the end of the second half."

With five minutes remaining Franciscan employed full court press and succeeded in grabbing steals and finishing with shot after shot to close the gap and put them in contention to win the game. The difference for Franciscan really came in their ability to finish their foul shots making 34 out of 40 taken.

"The girls responded and they got the steals and they attacked the hoop," Delaney said. "The mental toughness that they exhibited in the end of that game really showed their ability to battle."

In the final few minutes Franciscan managed to get the lead but Bethany did not give up, coming back and hanging on by one point. Again, Franciscan clinched the lead, this time for good. Helen Raines made a big steal, Bethany fouled, and Franciscan made a free throw increasing their lead to three points.

On Bethany's last possession Dani Link got a block and Franciscan charged to the basket, drawing another foul. Iliana Gonzales made her foul shot, securing Franciscan's four-point lead and win.

"I am so proud of this team, this is a huge win for our program," Delaney said. "Bethany is a very established program in our area and I am so proud of our girls for putting forth the amount of effort that they did."

Bethany scored more shots from the court than Franciscan, making 29 out of 74 and Franciscan making 24 out of 60 but Franciscan's composure on the free throw line boosted them to the win.

The Lady Barons turned up the intensity on the offensive end throughout the entire second half increasing their shooting percentage from 29.4% in the first to 53.8% in the second.

"We've got to take the momentum and confidence we have gained from this game and push it forward to our next games and especially to our conference season," Delaney said.

Franciscan continues their season as they play a make up game against Grove City College on Tuesday Jan 7 at 2p.m.

"We're looking forward to take this team and keep raising it to a new level," Delaney said. "This game took us a little higher and we're aiming to continue to move forward with this confidence."