Box Score Franciscan 63, Penn State Altoona 64

Franciscan Starters 
Sawyer Butler, Karl Yonkeu, Zach Oliver, Nathan Richards, Thomas Kristian

How It Happened 
    Franciscan and Penn State Altoons met for the 26th time on Saturday, and this was the first time that the game was non-conference since 2007. The Lions have had the upper-hand in the all-time series, and unfortunately, they came out on top again today, but it was another classic, close battle.
   
     The score was close for the opening minutes, but then a 12-0 Altoona run gave them a 14-4 lead just six minutes into this one. The Lions did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the opening half. They held a six-point lead at the half by a score of 33-27.

    The Barons did not take long to tie it up in the second half. With 15:47 to play, Zachary Pollaro made a layup to tie it up at 37-37. The Barons took the lead on seven different occasions throughout the second half, but each and every time the Lions answered quickly with a bucket. Sawyer Butler gave the Barons their final lead at 63-62 with less than two minutes to play. The Lions answered with a pair of free throws to take the lead, and then shut down the Barons over the final minute and a half. The Barons had a couple of looks at a game-winner on their final set, but today was not their day, as they fell to 4-1 on the season.

Inside the Numbers 
- Butler led the Barons with 19 points while shooting 9-11 from the free throw line.
- Oliver had a double double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
- Neither team was able to score much on the fast break with just 15 points combined in transition.
- Franciscan had 22 bench points.

Up Next 
Franciscan will have one week between contests once again, as they will take on Saint Francis on Saturday, November 29th. It will be an exhibition game for the Barons against the Division I foe. Next season, Saint Francis will be Division III and a member of the PAC. These two teams have a long history that dates back to 1948. The Barons are 9-27 all-time against them, as they are in search of their first win against them since the 1966-67 season. 

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