Franciscan 66, La Roche 76
Franciscan Starters
Sophie LaRose, Chiara MacGillivray, Jazzlyn Melnyk, Lauren Arena, Madison Doan
La Roche Starters
Sanders, Hairston, Dunn, Abram, Whittington
How It Happened
The Barons were finally able to have their first true home game on Kuzma Court at Finnegan Fieldhouse this Saturday, as they hosted La Roche in a non-conference contest. Madison Doan and Jazzlyn Melnyk led the way with 20+ point performances, but he reigning AMCC Champions would spoil the season debut at Finnegan with a 76-66 win.
La Roche was strong in the early going, as they jumped out to an 8-0 lead to start this one. The Barons responded with an 8-0 run of their own that included a pair of threes from Melnyk to set the score at 8-8. Madison Doan would make her second bucket of the day with less than three minutes remaining in the opening quarter to give the Barons their first lead at 14-13. La Roche finished with some offense to take a 20-16 lead into the break.
La Roche would then go on a run that brought their lead to 11 points at 29-18 with seven minutes to play in the half. Franciscan was able to cut it to a four point deficit with a 7-0 run of their own that ended with an Emma Clow three pointer. La Roche ended the half on a 4-0 run to take an eight point lead into halftime.
The Redhawks came out the break firing on all cylinders, as they would climb their lead up to 17 halfway into the third quarter. The Barons would not quit though, as they chipped into the lead steadily over the final five minutes of the quarter. Ilena Gonzales made a three pointer in the final seconds to cut the deficit to single-digits at 56-47.
Doan would score five of Franciscan's first seven points of the fourth quarter to help the Barons pll within seven halfway through the fourth. La Roche would continue to respond with timely baskets as they would stretch the lead back to double-digits. The Barons would be forced into fouling, and La Roche would make their free throws to secure a road victory.
Inside the Numbers
-Doan had 22 points and 15 rebounds to register her third double-double of the season.
- Melnyk had 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists to fill up the box score in 38 minutes of play.
- Lauren Arena tied Melnyk with six assists on the day.
- The Barons had a season low 17 turnovers.
- La Roche had 21 fast-break points compared to Franciscan's four.
Up Next
Franciscan returns to action next Saturday, December 17th, with a home contest against Washington & Jefferson. The Barons are 0-3 against the Presidents in the NCAA Division III era, but the 1981 College of Steubenville Saints were able to take them down in 1981. Franciscan will try to channel that success from years past, as they take on the top team in the PAC. Washington & Jefferson is 6-0 thus far this season with a perfect 3-0 mark in PAC contests.
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