By Charles Jardine
Sports Editor
The Franciscan University Basketball team nearly came back against the Grove City Wolverines on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m.
The game started with a bang with senior guard Colton Hage knocking down a three-pointer to start off the game, quickly followed by two threes from the Wolverines. Hage and junior guard Joseph Ciola provided the majority of the scoring for the Barons in the first part of the first half, but with 10 minutes left in the first half, the Wolverines maintained a three-point lead 15-12.
The Wolverines kept on a pedal with a layup, but were immediately answered by Hage with a layup of his own. Two shooting fouls on the Barons allowed the Wolverines to tack on four more points from free throws, extending their lead 21-14.
Senior guard Aidan Hickey and junior forward Nicholas Allienello and guard Josh Zimmerman joined in on the scoring action with a jumper, layup and jumper respectively bringing the score to 20-23, Wolverines.
The Wolverines went on a quick streak scoring seven straight to extend their lead 30-20. Zimmerman finished off the scoring for the Barons in the half with four straight free throws. The Wolverines remained on top 33-24 going into the half.
Ciola kicked off the scoring with a quick layup, but the Wolverines responded with two three-pointers extending their lead 39-26. The game continued back-and-forth with Ciola, Zimmerman, and sophomore center Yonkeu Yann getting in on the scoring action bringing the score to 51-37 with 10 minutes left in the game.
The Wolverines maintained a solid lead until the final minute of the game. Allienello makes a quick layup making the score 53-64. Freshman guard Malachi Rose-Burton put in another layup off a missed free throw, cutting the lead to 9.
The Wolverines inbound and are quickly fouled by Hickey, but missed the free throw. The Barons charged down the floor in seconds where Rose-Burton put in a layup and one, and made the free throw, putting the Barons down by only seven.
Freshman guard Frank Belissimo scored the last points for the Barons with a three-pointer in the final seconds of the game. The Barons ultimately lost 67-61, but showed great promise for games to come.