Franciscan 75, Geneva 66

Franciscan Starters
Sawyer Butler, Josh Zimmerman, Derrick Derrow, Nicholas Allienello, and Travis Zimmerman 

How It Happened 
    The history between the Geneva Golden Tornadoes and Franciscan go all the way back to 1949. The all-time series as been close to even, but since joining the PAC the Barons have never defeated the Golden Tornadoes. They've walked into the historic arena and come close the last couple of years, but this year they finally got over that hump. 
    The Beaver Boys carried the Barons in a game earlier this year, and coming home to Beaver Falls they had their A-game again. Butler had another 20+ game and Townsend was second on the team in scoring with 16. Thankfully, tonight they weren't the only ones locked in. Josh Zimmerman and Frank Bellissimo were in double digits. The real star of the night was the Baron defense. Geneva had the wind let out of their sails from the start. Midway through the first half the Barons had a 24-9 lead. This put the Tornadoes on their heels and shell-shocked. That pressure never let up. The Barons constantly challenged Geneva at the rim. There were four blocks stated, but watching the game there were easily five missed. Every time a Geneva came into the lane they were met with multiple long defenders swiping and swinging at the ball. 
    The Barons went into the half with a nine point lead and held that through to the end. Geneva never made a run to challenge the lead.
    Two of the three teams tied with Franciscan lost. With the road win, the Barons climb to 5th sharing that spot with Thiel. 
    
Inside the Numbers 
-The Barons shot over 40% from the field for the second straight game
-J. Zimmerman and Bellissimo were perfect from behind the arc each going 3-3.
--The Barons had a season low 10 turnovers

Up Next 
Franciscan returns home to take on Saint Vincent on Wednesday. The Barons look to avenge their loss to the Bearcats earlier this season. In that game, the Barons fell 76-72 in a game that came down to the wire. Butler led the Barons with 22 points, but Saint Vincent's Dev Ostrowski went off with 39 points to help the Bearcats achieve the win. With a win Franciscan would snap a five-game skid to saint Vincent, as they have not beat them since 2022.

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