Franciscan 49, Chatham 45   

Franciscan Starters 
Clare McGahan, Natalie Conner, Sophie LaRose, Angela Starre, and Selena Coronis

Chatham Starters 
Kaitlyn Fertig, Riley D'Angelo, Sierra McClain, Maddy Grennes, and Brittani Smith  

How It Happened
The Franciscan Women's Basketball team picked up its first Presidents' Athletic Conference win defeating Chatham 49-45, behind a career high 10-point effort from Freshman Sophie LaRose.  

The Barons got off to a strong start with Clare McGahan connecting on a 3-pointer to start the scoring. Selena Coronis followed with a lay up putting Franciscan ahead 5-0. Chatham would answer back with an 8-0 to take their first lead of the night before LaRose hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at eight. After converting a pair of free throws, LaRose would again connect from behind the arc to give the Barons a five-point advantage. Natalie Conner and Isabel Atendido added a pair of jump shots allowing Franciscan to build a nine-point advantage heading to the second quarter.

Atendido started the second quarter by hitting a jumper followed by an Angela Starre 3-pointer allowing Franciscan to build a 12-point lead. The Cougars would rally back, scoring nine straight points to close back within three with just over a minute remaining before half. LaRose would stop the run by connecting on a jump shot, helping the Barons hold a 26-23 lead heading to the locker room.  

McGahan would start the second half as she did the first by draining a 3-pointer off a nice pass from Conner. Chatham would battle back, recapturing the lead midway through the quarter. Atendido would answer back with a short jump shot to put Franciscan back ahead. The lead would swing back-and-forth with Starre tying the game at 35. Coronis hit a pair of free throws allowing the Barons to hold an one-point advantage heading to the final quarter. 

Both defensive control the first five minutes of the final frame, holding each team to just a single point. Conner would break through, making the first field goal of the quarter with 3:35 remain to give Franciscan a three-point lead. After the Cougars answered with a layup, Coronis knocked down a jumper to maintain the lead. The Barons led by one with 33 seconds remaining when a Cougars foul sent Starre to the free throw line. Starre knocked down a pair of free throws to make the lead three. Conner would then pull down a pair of contested defensive rebounds earning two trips to the foul line where she converted on 3 clutch free throws helping the Barons take a six-point advantage. The Cougars would connect on a 3-pointer to pull back within three, but Coronis would convert one final free throw sealing the victory for the Barons. 

Inside the Numbers 

- Sophie LaRose scored a career high 10 points and pulled in eight rebounds
- Selena Coronis also reached double figures, scoring 10 points
- Natalie Conner worked hard in the paint pulling down 12 rebound to go along with her eight points
- Angela Starre added nine points and six rebounds
- Clare McGahan added two key 3-pointers
- As a team the Barons were 12-15 at the free throw line, connecting on 80% of their oppertunities
- Chatham was led in scoring by Kaitlyn Fertig and Maddy Grennes who each had 11 points
- The Cougars won the rebounding battle 48-39

Who's Next? 
Franciscan was supposed to travel to Latrobe on Wednesday to play St. Vincent but the game has been postponed. The Barons will return home to play Saturday against Grove City 

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