STEUBENVILLE  - The Franciscan men's basketball team once again saw a balanced scoring effort but the visiting Westminster Titans were able to stave off the Barons and win, 90-76, at Kuzma Court on Saturday afternoon.

The lead changed hands 13 times in the first 15:30 of the game, as neither team led by more than three during that stretch. The Titans hit the first jumper of the game but freshman Joe Schriner had the answer and finish a long three to give FUS its first lead of the game, 3-2, at 18:58. From there, the two teams engaged in a shootout until the Barons took a three-point lead at 31-28 with 5:37 to play thanks to a layup from junior Garrison Holmes. Deontay Scott answered with a layup of his own to cut the home lead back down to one but junior Keoni Sablan hit both of his free throws to push the lead back to three, 33-30 with 4:35 to play. Westminster scored 11 unanswered points over the next 2:42 to take an eight-point lead, capped by a layup from Austin Armwood. Sablan put an end to the Titan run with a jumper from Holmes at 1:38 but Westminster scored the final four points of the half to take a 45-35 lead into halftime.

The Titans opened up the scoring in the second half, and led by as many as 21 three times, the last with 8:37 to play. The Barons kept fighting and thanks to three points from freshman Michael Mendicino and a layup from Holmes, were within 16, 82-68, with 5:41 to play. The Titans regained an 18-point lead but senior Derrick David hit both free throws and a jumper in the paint to cut the lead back down to 14 with 2:33 to play. The Titans answered with four of their own and the Barons closed out the game with a free throw from Holmes and a three-pointer from Schriner to bring the score to it's final, 90-76.

"It really was the last four minutes of the first half and the first 10 of the second that the game got away," remarked head coach Joe Wallace. "They could have had us on the ropes but we didn't back down tonight. [Westminster] is a good team and we battled tough against another really good opponent."

Sablan finished the day with 16 points, including going a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line. Holmes added 12 points while dishing out five assists for the Barons.

"With Jake (Divens) out with an injury, Keoni had to run the offense tonight and he really stepped up to the challenge," complimented Coach Wallace. "I say this a lot, but he is a good player and is getting to be a great one. He ran a balance offense today and spread out the ball for us while still getting off good shots of his own. He stepped into the 1 really well."

Sophomore Juwan Perkins posted 11 points to go along with seven rebounds and a steal. Freshman Josh York continues to be steady for the Barons with 10 points and seven boards while he added a pair of assists and steals. Schriner was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and posted 11 points for FUS.

"The new guys continue to play well for us. Josh and Joe are scoring and giving us good minutes. Juwan had another good game, though needs to keep his focus a little longer."

David continues to be a workhorse for the Barons as he added eight points, four assists and four steals in 33 minutes of action.

"I can't say enough about Derrick," remarked Coach Wallace. "He goes out there every day and you know what you are going to get from him. The guys make fun of me but I call him the team's Ford F150. He's reliable and works hard day in and day out. He's not a flashy player but is consistent and I love that about him."

The Barons will face the top-two teams in conference this week as they head to La Roche on Wednesday for an 8pm tilt and welcome Penn State Behrend to Steubenville on Saturday.

"These first five games really prepared us to face the tough competition head," remarked Wallace. "We have played a lot of good teams so far, and like I said, this will either make or break us. We head into these conference games ready for the challenge."