Box Score STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - In a heartbreaking final five minutes, Franciscan's steady, game-long lead turned into Hilbert College's second season win when a combination of turnovers and a continued cold shooting streak resulted in a 69-67 point loss for the Lady Barons.
High energy during the first half propelled the Lady Barons' effective offense and strong defense to secure an early lead. Junior guard/forward Stephanie Pahren put the first points on the board with an easy layup 80 seconds into the game.
With two 3-pointers from sophomore guard Katie Rhodes and one from freshman guard Sarah Shriner, the Lady Barons held a solid 11 point lead at halftime, finishing 41-30.
Meanwhile the team's energetic defense was expensive; central ball handler and defensive spitfire Monica Dawyot, drew two fouls within the first two and a half minutes, the first team fouls of the game.
"Having Monica foul so early and then taking her out was really difficult," Head Coach Suzy Delaney said. "She's a key player, so that hurt us, not having her."
Twelve minutes in, Hilbert was in the bonus, taking all fouls to the free throw line.
The second half opened out strong, with the Lady Barons confidently taking possession of the court. Unfortunately, that confidence just did not last as the Lady Barons began missing easy looks and Hilbert used the turnovers to their advantage.
After shots from senior captain Lacey Huck, freshman Bernadette Roach and sophomore Illiana Gonzales, the 11 point lead grew to 17. That would be the highlight for Franciscan' second half as the final fifteen minutes of the second half spelled trouble for the Lady Barons.
"Hilbert executed their plays, scored, and came back," Delaney said. "We kept getting good looks on the offensive line, but we just couldn't finish them. Our defensive effort wasn't as strong in the second half either."
An unusual zero for five shooting streak for Huck halfway through the second half put a damper on offensive production, but with almost eight minutes left, Huck made a layup, breaking her slump and pulling the Lady Barons into more action.
By then, however, the green and gold's seventeen point lead had devolved into an uncomfortable 6 point hold.
Foul after foul brought Hilbert to the free throw line. With a free throw percentage of 65.5, the Hawks did not capitalize on all their free point opportunities, but with 27 Franciscan fouls, quantity made up for quality.
With 51 seconds left on the clock, Gonzales made a 3-pointer that brought the Hilbert lead down to a four points, a manageable comeback. Another three and a free throw from Gonzales plus a jump shot from Huck were not enough to combat Hilberts' 4-7 free throw shooting in the final seconds of the upset.
"It was a frustrating game, Delaney said. "But there are more games to be played, so we are going to do our best to prepare for Pitt Greensburg and put this game behind us."
The Lady Barons will play Pitt Greensburg on Wednesday, February 4th, at 6pm.
