BRADFORD, Pa. – Freshman Michael Mendicino went off for 22 points but the Franciscan basketball team was unable to overcome a powerful Pitt.-Bradford offense as the Barons fell 73-59, Saturday afternoon.

After leading 31-21 at halftime, the Panthers built a solid 29-point lead, 70-41, with just 5:44 to play. A minute later, freshman Josh York grabbed a defensive board to give possession back to the Barons and Joe Schriner went hard to the basket for a layup and completed the traditional three-point play with the good free throw after the foul to cut the lead to 70-44 with 4:43 to play. Mendicino made it a 21-point game with a deep three before hitting both free throws after getting fouled on a defensive rebound. Schriner continued the scoring for the Baron as he went 2-for-2 from the free throw line with just under three minutes to play to get the score back within 20 at 70-51. Freshman Kevin Jarmusik continued the streak for the Barons with a layup to make it a 17-point game, 70-53, with 2:44 left.

The Panthers put an end to the Barons' run with a free throw at 2:31 but after Zach Dahlstrand missed his second one, York grabbed the rebound for the Barons. Franciscan and the Panthers traded missed shots and Mendicino was fouled on FUS' next possession. Once again, the freshman was perfect from the free throw line to get the Barons to within 16, 71-55. Chris Blose hit a jumper with 1:32 left for the Panthers' last points and freshman John Noce hit both free throws before Nick Mersch closed out the scoring with a jumper at 73-59 to bring the score to its final with 45 seconds left.

Franciscan opened the game with a 5-0 lead thanks to a three and a layup from junior Keoni Sablan but the Panthers answered with a 9-0 run to take the lead for good at 9-5. UPB led by as many as 11 with 6:49 to play in the opening half but the Barons kept fighting and pulled to within four, 25-21, thanks to a three from Sablan with 4:09 to play. The Panthers closed out the half with a 6-0 run to head into the locker room with a 31-21 lead.

Mendicino led all players with 22 points behind a 6-for-11 night including going 4-for-8 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. 17 of Mendicino's 22 points came in the second half. Schriner finished the day with 10 points while sophomore Juwan Perkins posted 11 rebounds and added six points for the Barons.

After taking the week off for finals, the Barons return home next Saturday as they host Hilbert 4pm.