STEUBENVILLE – Three different players finished in double figures as the Franciscan men's basketball team's comeback fell just short against Penn State Altoona, Wednesday night. The Lions held on for a 76-62 win at Kuzma Court.

Down 19 points with just 3:58 to play, a pair of free throws from sophomore Daniel McElroy kicked off a 14-4 run over the next three minutes to pull within 10 points, 72-62. Senior Christian Duke capped off the scoring with a three-pointer with 47 seconds to play. The Lions went on to sink all four of their free throws in the final minute to seal the win for the visitors.

After trailing 45-23 at halftime, the Barons found themselves in a 22 point hole with 16:03 to play thanks to a pair of free throws form Rogelio Christian-Olan. Duke cut the lead back to 18 with a good layup and a three-pointer, both off assists from junior Jacob Divens with 14:27 to play. The Lions extended their lead back to 20 with a layup from Jordan Smith but sophomore Garrison Holmes made a layup thanks to a pass from Duke to pull within 18, 59-41, with 13:41 to go in the second. A layup from Holmes and a three from sophomore Keoni Sablan got the Barons to within 15 points for the first time since 5:03 in the first half. The Lions went on to score the game's next five points to extend their lead back to 20, 66-46, with 6:26 to play.

Divens and Wigfield traded baskets to set up the Barons come back run that fell just short.

The Lions controlled the first half after scoring the game's first nine points and leading by as many as 20 points in the opening 20 minutes.

Sablan and Duke each posted 13 points for the Barons while Duke pulled down 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the year. Divens handed out a game-best seven assists while McElroy finished the game with four blocks.

The Barons return to the court on Saturday as they host Medaille during Kuzma Community Day. Tipoff is set for 2:00 pm.