Erie, Pa.—Franciscan women's basketball was able to chip away at a 13-point deficit in the second half to send the game to overtime where they were able to outlast Penn St.-Behrend 61-54 on the road.

The first half started off slow for the Lady Barons as they struggled to put up shots and grab rebounds. Behrend was able to take advantage of Franciscan's missed opportunities, steadily building to a 12-point lead that they took into the locker room at halftime.

"We were disappointed with our first half effort," head women's basketball coach Suzy Delaney said. "We were out-rebounded on the defensive end 10 to 5. That is not a reflection of the effort we demand, but I thought our girls accepted the challenge we gave to them at half time to win the loose balls."

In the second half, the Lions were able to extend their lead slightly, their biggest lead of the game being 13 points. Slowly but surely, the Lady Barons began to climb their way back into the game.

"The best news at halftime for us was that we were able to get another 20 minutes to redeem ourselves on defense," Delaney said. "Our ladies took that opportunity to heart and won this game on the defensive end in the second half and overtime."

Veteran players sophomore guard Iliana Gonzales and senior forward Lacey Huck led the offensive attack with 14 points each. Gonzales also contributed four offensive rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Huck's defense was a big key to the win, however, holding the conference's top scorer, Behrend's Ally Burke, to 11 points on the night, eight points below her season average.

Junior guard/forward Stephanie Pahren also had a productive second half, finishing with seven points and eight rebounds.

"Steph Pahren really pulled us through in the second half with a complete effort of offense, defense and rebounding," Delaney said.

Swinging the momentum forward in the Lady Barons' favor for the second time in as many games was junior guard Monica Dawyot. Dawyot, like the rest of the team, had a quiet first half but her overall play late in the game propelled the team to the victory, hitting the game-tying three-pointer to go to overtime and also going 4-4 from the foul line.

The junior finished with nine points and seven rebounds.

"We are so proud of Monica Dawyot," Delaney said. "As coaches, we've always seen the numerous ways she affects the game. Today it was with her poise."

With the win, the Lady Barons remain in sixth place in the conference standings, still in position to make their first-ever appearance in the conference tournament as the top six teams advance.

The Lady Barons look to keep their conference winning streak alive as they travel to take on the Lady Lions of Penn St.-Altoona February 11 at 6 pm.