By Grace Murphy
Web Editor
The Franciscan University women’s basketball team defeated the Thiel College Tomcats 83-79 in a home game Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.
At tipoff, junior forward Sophia LaRose got the ball and scored a lay-up. Despite the Lady Barons strong start, Thiel College scored eight points in a row.
The Lady Barons fought back against Thiel’s advantage. Franciscan went on a sixteen-point streak. Multiple teammates contributed to the 16-0 run. The baskets were made by sophomore center Madison Doan, LaRose, sophomore guard Jazzlyn Melnyk and freshman guard Kylie Panizza.
The first quarter ended with the Lady Barons ahead by one point, 24-23.
Doan shone in the second quarter. She landed multiple baskets, including a few consecutive. Sophomore Chiara MacGillivray also assisted the Lady Barons by scoring a 3-pointer. Overall, the second quarter ended with the Lady Barons in the lead by five.
In the third quarter, junior guard Natalie Conner scored two buckets. Doan and Panizza also continued to score. The Thiel Tomcats were tough competitors and the third quarter ended with a narrow one point lead for Franciscan.
Melnyk pulled off an impressive three-pointer from a bounce off the rim of the basket. In the final two minutes, Doan scored twice. Then Thiel College fouled, granting the Lady Barons the necessary free throw to seal their win.
The Franciscan women’s basketball team won with a final score of 83-79.
Notably, in this game Doan not only scored the highest number of points for the game, but also for her entire season with twenty-five. Melnyk led the game for assists with eight. Finally, Connor had season-high records in points, rebounds, assists and steals.