Franciscan 59, Thiel 46

Franciscan Starters 
Ilena Gonzales, Jazzlyn Melnyk, Caroline Reedy, Moira Hughes, & Maria McCallen

How It Happened 
    Franciscan Women's Basketball traveled to Thiel on Saturday to take on the Tomcats on Senior Day in Greenville. The Barons ruined the celebrations for the home team, by securing their seventh straight win over Thiel. It was not easy, as the Barons trailed by seven at the half, but a huge second half propelled them to victory.

    The Barons won the opening quarter 13-8 behind five points from Jazzlyn Melnyk, but the Tomcats responded in the second quarter. They tallied 20 points while holding the Barons to eight to take a 28-21 lead into halftime. The Barons shot 15% from the field in the second quarter, but Head Coach Iliana Spoelman got them ready for the second half.

    Five different Barons scored in the third quarter, as the Barons chipped away at the lead. Abbigail Jannuzi made a jumper with 1:22 to play in the third which gave the Barons the lead at 37-36. Franciscan led by three after three quarters at Thiel. The Tomcats did not see the lead again, an early 9-0 run game the Barons some separation in the final quarter. Emma Clow came through in the clutch with nine points in the final quarter to close this one out and give the Barons the victory.
    
Inside the Numbers 
- This was the largest second half comeback for the Barons since the 2016-17 season when they beat D'Youville after trailing by 10 at the break.
- This was the first game the Barons won while making zero three-point field goals since January 2, 2014, when they beat Bethany 82-78. 
- Melnyk recorded another double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
- Emma Clow scored a season-high 11 points while going 7-8 from the free throw line.
- Caroline Reedy had nine points, nine rebounds, and seven steals in a near triple double performance.

Up Next 
Franciscan will head to Chatham on Wednesday evening to take on the Cougars for the second time this season. On New Year's Eve, Chatham beat Franciscan in Steubenville, and they have only lost one game since then, as they sit near the top of the PAC standings. The last time the Barons beat the Cougars at their place was the 2020-21 season by a score of 49-45. Sophie LaRose and Selena Coronis each scored 10 points for the Baron that day to lead them to victory. 

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