Franciscan 56, Bethany 68

Franciscan Starters 
Ilena Gonzales, Emma Clow, Jazzlyn Melnyk, Caroline Reedy, & Maria McCallen

How It Happened 
    Franciscan Women's Basketball hosted Bethany on Wednesday night in Finnegan Fieldhouse. It was the annual Coaches vs. Cancer game in Steubenville, as several special guests were honored pregame, including the chair of the Education Department, Dr. Rook.

    The Barons came out firing on all cylinders by shooting 75% from the floor in the opening quarter. Maria McCallen scored the first 10 points of the night for the Barons, as the Barons led 10-9 with 3:25 to play in the first quarter. Abbigail Jannuzzi added five points, as the Barons trailed 16-15 heading into the second quarter. 

    The second quarter was not as high of scoring as the first quarter, but it was equally close and tightly contested. The Barons led by six at 25-19 with 3:30 to play. McCallen picked up back to back fouls with 2:50 to play she headed to the bench with three fouls. The Bison went on a run to take a one point advantage into halftime, 29-28.

    Both teams made adjustments in the second half, and Bethany started to find their grove. They scored 20 points in the third quarter while shooting 57.1% from the floor for 10 minutes. Ilena Gonzales and Jazzlyn Melnyk made a three pointer in the third, but the Bison ran the lead up to seven points heading into the fourth quarter. Melnyk and McCallen led the charge offensively in the fourth quarter. The Bison offense stayed hot to close this one out 68-56.
    
Inside the Numbers 
- McCallen led the Barons with 22 points and seven rebounds.
- That is her 9th 20+ point game of the season.
- Melnyk added 13 points and five rebounds.
- The Barons shot 52.3% from the floor in the first half 

Up Next 
Franciscan will head to Thiel on Saturday to take on the Tomcats. The Barons beat them back in December in Steubenville by a score of 77-59. Four Barons scored in double-figures in the win. Maria McCallen led the way with 20 points, Abbigail Jannuzi scored 19, Jazzlyn Melnyk 15, and Ilena Gonzales 14 points. Thiel is in search of their first win of the season.

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