Barons fall to Tomcats in final home game

Photo gathered by Luna Oppus (Photo was actually taken by Chole Cross)

Grace Murphy

The Franciscan University men’s basketball team lost to the Thiel College Tomcats 96-83 Monday, March 1. This was the Franciscan men’s eighth game of the season and their final game at home.

Senior forward Dalton Davis was the first Baron to score, making a 3-pointer with assistance from graduate student guard Jonathan Sigler, 30 seconds into the game.

The first half ended closely, 55-48, with Thiel College in the lead.

The Barons fell behind by about 10 points early in the second half. Then freshman guard Josh Zimmerman scored two points at 18:00.

From there, the Barons narrowed Thiel College’s lead. Thiel College only scored six points ahead of the Barons in the second half.

The Barons’ efforts were not enough to win the game, and they fell to Thiel College 96-83.

Game highlights included a new career high for Zimmerman. He recorded a double-double hauling in 10 rebounds and scoring 20 points on 9-13 shooting from the field.

Additionally, junior guard Justin Mack knocked down five 3-pointers, netting 19 points.

Freshman forward Nicholas Allienello scored a career-high of 18 points in one game.

Senior guard Sean Hickey surpassed former leader Keoni Sablan as the Franciscan player with the most Modern Era career points. He accomplished this with a layup midway through the first half. He has a total of 1,094 points. Hickey scored a total of 19 points this game.

Before the game began, the Barons honored their five senior players. The ceremony included videos from their loved ones who could not be in attendance.

The Barons will have their final regular season game Saturday, March 6, at Geneva College.