Cresson, Pa. – Franciscan men's basketball kept in close until the final seconds of their conference opener with a 72-69 road loss to Mt. Aloysius College.

The Barons shot 55 percent in the second half and with a running, baseline jumper from sophomore point guard Jacob Divens, pulled within one point with just 41 seconds left. A few crucial offensive rebounds and made free throws from the Mounties, however, put the game just out of reach for FUS.

"This was our third close game in a row and we just didn't come out on top tonight. But I'm impressed with the character of our group," head coach John Lamanna said.

The game started with a battle of Franciscan's three-point shooting against Mt. Al's dominance in the paint. Six of the Baron's first eight field goals came from long range as their ball movement consistently found open shooters. They finished the half shooting 7 for 17 from behind the arc.

"We're a good shooting team and we're going to continue to shoot the three," Lamanna said. "We just don't want to live by it."

While the Barons shot from long range, the Mounties took advantage down low, finishing the first half with 26 points in the paint. Those points, in large part from their six offensive rebounds, gave Mt. Al a 40-35 halftime lead.

Each team's scoring became more balanced in the second half with Franciscan only making three more three-pointers and the Mounties only scoring 18 more points in the paint.

Helping to balance the Baron's offense was the driving ability of freshman guard Keoni Sablan who scored six of his ten points in the second half. He and Divens were able to take advantage of pump fakes on the perimeter and drive into the lane for either kick-outs or layups.

"We did a better job in the second half of taking less threes and scoring more two-point shots," Lamanna said. "That's why all the sudden our shooting percentage came up."

In the second half, Franciscan shot 55 percent from the field which was a big reason why they were able to close the lead to one point multiple times. Despite both team's finishing with 32 rebounds, ultimately it was a handful of offensive boards in big moments from the Mounties that kept the Barons from finally taking the lead.

"That's the part that was frustrating. It seemed like their offensive boards were more timely," Lamanna said. "Its not merely an offensive board, its when did they get that offensive board."

Lamanna also said that 72 is more points than he wants his team to give up in the game but that score was a marked improvement from last year went the Mounties scored 102 and 92 on the Barons.

Leading Franciscan's scoring effort this time around, was senior guard Moses Sullivan who scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. He was joined as double-digit scorers by Sablan and Divens, who finished with 14 points.

"I feel encouraged," Lamanna said. "It would've felt better if we won but the good news is we get to play at home for the first time this Sunday."

That home game will come against conference opponent Pitt-Bradford on Sunday, December 7 at 4 pm.