Westminster 99, Franciscan 78   

Franciscan Starters 

Justin Mack, Tristan McDannell, Josh Zimmerman, Sean Hickey & Joe Vernau

Westminster Starters 

Daniel Ritter, Isaac Stamatiades, Austin O'Hara, Josh Hutcherson & Reese Leon

How It Happened 

The Barons would make their second trip to New Wilmington, Pa. of the season, as they squared off with the Titans in the PAC semi-finals. The Titans would get the better of the Barons for the second time this season and end the 2020-21 season. Sean Hickey would go off for a career high 41 points, the most in a game in Franciscan history. 

Sean Hickey would keep up his hot shooting from last Saturday's win against Bethany, as he would score the first nine Franciscan points. Unfortunately for the Barons, the Titans offense would be shooting well early and often. Tristan McDannell and Christian Nguyen would add their first buckets to cut within eight points at 12-23 with over 11 minutes to play. The Titans would stay hot, as they would go on an 11-0 run over the next two minutes. Justin Mack would snap the run with his first made three pointer of the day. The Barons would battle hard the last five minutes, by outscoring the Titans 16-12 and heading to the half trailing 36-53. The Titans shot 66.0% from the floor in the first half. 

The Barons came out of the half  with a spark, as they were able to cut the lead to single digits in less than four minutes. The score would stand at 51-60 after big man Joe Vernau added his second basket of the game with over sixteen minutes to play. The Barons would cool off, as the Titans would go on a 6-0 run to retake a commanding lead. The Barons defense played with more urgency and energy in the second half, but unfortunately it led to more fouls, as the Titans would enter the double bonus with more than ten minutes left in this one. Shortly after reaching the double bonus, the Titans would stretch their lead up to 18 points at 58-78 with 9:57 to play. Sean Hickey would continue his career night with another made three pointer and jumper, to give him 37 points with 7:44 to play, breaking his career high set on Saturday. Hickey would add another jumper to tie a Franciscan record with 39 points in a game and tied most points in a PAC game this season. Hickey would make it to the free throw line and connect on a pair to break both records in what could be his final game. Jonathan Sigler would make a three pointer in the final seconds, as the Barons PAC title hopes would be over 78-99.

Inside the Numbers 
-Sean Hickey broke the 10 year old record of 39 points in a game by Thomas Kleinschnitz in 2011 against LaRoche.
-Nicholas Allienello would score 10 points with two made three pointers.
-Joe Vernau would grab a team high six rebounds.
-Isaac Stamatiades would register a double double with 14 points and 18 rebounds
-The Barons would remain strong from the free throw line, as they went 10-10 on the night
-Sean Hickey passed Frank Sapienza (1953-57) and John Blanda (1956-60) to move into 6th all-time in scoring with 1,203 points

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