BUFFALO, NY -  

The Basics
Scores: Franciscan 87 - D'Youville 94   
Records: Franciscan (5-8 , 4-5 AMCC) - D'Youville (3-12, 2-8 AMCC) 
Location: College Center Gym - Buffalo, NY

How it Happened

• Will Saunders made his presence known from the beginning of this one as he scored the first seven points for the Spartans to help them get out to an early 7-4 advantage. Four Spartan free throws would expand the lead even more until Andrew Salasek connected on a three for the Barons. Travis lien would make a layup and a three pointer to cut the lead to three with 10:41 left in the first half. The Spartans would absolutely own the next four minutes as they steadily but the lead up to 17 points at 33-16 with 6:51 left in the half. The Barons woke up as they went on a 12-0 run to cut this one to five. Justin Mack and Sean Hickey each hit a three during this run. Saunders would continue to demonstrate his complete game as he got a steal that led to a huge dunk to give the Spartans a six point lead with a minute left in the half. Thankfully Mack responded with another three, and Drazen Frankovitch made a layup with time expiring to go into the half trailing by one.
• Saunders did not cool off over the break as he came out of the half and made his first three point attempt, and his teammate Brian Sharp added one of his own to give the Spartans a seven point lead very quickly. Frankovitch responded for Franciscan by making four layups over the next four minutes to cut it back to a two point game. With 10:26 left to play the score would be tied up at 64-64 after an exchange of free throws. 47 fouls were called throughout this one, so free throws would go on to make a huge impact. The Spartans would stretch a ead back up to seven once more, but the combination of Lien and Frankovitch helped pull the Barons back to tie it up at 82-82 with 2:47 left.Travis Lien would give the Barons a one point lead by making a jumper with 2:03 to play.The Spartans responded with back to back layups for a three point edge with under a minute to play. The Barons would go 1-2 from the line while the Spartans went 7-8 to win the game.

Inside The Box Score

• Saunders, the Medaille transfer, scored a game high 33 points to lead the Spartans. Devon Darrell added 22 points as well.
• Five Barons scored in double figures for the second game in a row. Trent led the way with 19, Lien 15, Hickey 14, Frankovitch13 and Noce 10.
• The Barons had 20 turnovers today, their second most of any game this season, and the Spartans capitalized as they scored 31 points off turnovers.
• Lien led the Barons in rebounding with 11 to record a double double as well

Up Next
The Barons will remain in the Buffalo area as they will play Hilbert on Monday at 2 o'clock.