STEUBENVILLE, Ohio—The Franciscan University men's basketball team quickly fell behind in the first half of its game against Mount Aloysius College and couldn't make up the difference in the second half, losing 92-71.

"Our defense just wasn't quite strong enough this evening," head coach John Lamanna said. "Offensively we shot the ball OK but we didn't shoot it well enough to handle their onslaught offensively."

The Barons were plagued by Mt. Aloysius' outside shooters who hit open 3-pointers time and time again. The Mounties also beat Franciscan to the boards and grabbed the shots they did miss for some second chance looks.

"We were too comfortable to play against," Lamanna said. "Mount Aloysius did whatever they wanted offensively and it seemed like they rebounded every miss that they shot."

On the offensive side for Franciscan the team performed up to par with their averages this season as they shot 39.3 percent from the field and with 72 points scored 13 more than their season average.

Stepping up for the Barons on offense in the second half were sophomore guard Derrick David and freshman guard Garrison Holmes. In previous games Holmes has struggled to finish at the rim but finally broke found his touch with three tough buckets through contact and 13 total points.

"It's all a process in terms of growing as a player and he's growing," Lamanna said. "He slowed down more tonight and was more poised in terms of finishing at the basket."

As the game progressed David got into a groove both scoring and assisting his teammates on some key plays and finished the game with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.

"Derrick did a good job tonight," Lamanna said. "He came out and played hard and got the ball moving offensively."

Junior guard Moses Sullivan also helped to keep the Barons in the game offensively with 22 points, most of which came in the first half. Lamanna said Sullivan's consistent play has been important in keep the Baron offense running well.

With only two more games left in the season, both of which are at home, the Barons go up against the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford next on Feb. 22 at 1:00p.m.

"We need to try and see how we can improve against Bradford," Lamanna said. "It's all about trying to grow and improve as individuals and as a program."