Franciscan 57, Hiram 69

Franciscan Starters 
Abbigail Jannuzi, Ilena Gonzales, Jazzlyn Melnyk, Caroline Reedy, & Maria McCallen 

How It Happened 
    Franciscan hosted Hiram on Monday evening in Finnegan Fieldhouse for a non-conference matchup. Next season, this will be a PAC contest as the Terriers are joining the PAC as full-time members in the summer of 2025. 

    The first quarter was all Terriers, as they shot 52.9% from the field to score 24 points in the opening 10 minutes. Unfortunately, Franciscan started out cold, as they trailed by 15 points heading into the second quarter. 

    The Barons won the next 30 minutes of play, but they were not able to fully overcome the early deficit. Franciscan's defense made great adjustments in the second quarter, as they held the Terriers to just eight points. The Terriers led by 14 at half. 

    Franciscan scored 18 points in the first half and followed it up with 17 points in the third. Rebounding was definitely a point of emphasis for Head Coach Iliana Spoelman, as the Barons out-rebounded the Terriers 12-8 in the third quarter. In the fourth, both teams got hot on the offensive end, as 46 points were scored in the final 10 minutes. Franciscan was able to cut it to a six-point game multiple times, but the Terriers answered every time with clutch buckets to pull away. They were able to make free throws down the stretch to win by 12. 

Inside the Numbers 
- Reedy, Jannuzi, and McCallen each scored 12 points.
- Melnyk had 10 points.
- Ilena Gonzales had a season-high six assists.
- Hirams's Hickman led all scorers with 22 points. 

Up Next 
Franciscan will take time off for Christmas break now, as they do not return to action until New Years Eve. They will host Chatham then at Noon in a PAC tilt. This will be the first of two meeting throughout the 2024-25 season. The Barons are looking to snap a six-game skid against the Cougars, as they have not beat them since 2021. Chatham holds a 5-4 overall record with a 3-2 conference mark to sit in a tie for fourth in the conference this season.

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