By Madeline Dorobiala
Staff Writer
The Franciscan women’s basketball team lost 86-68 against the Geneva Golden Tornadoes at a home game Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Prior to the game, the Lady Barons were just beginning to pick up a winning streak after a series of losses at home.
The Barons started the game strong with sophomore guard Emma Clow assisting junior guard Ilena Gonzales for a layup.
Clow continued assisting her team when freshman forward Maria McCallen made a layup, extending the score 4-0 Barons.
McCallen maintained her stride with an unassisted layup, allowing the Baron to catch up to the Golden Tornados.
In the middle of the first quarter, the Barons had a breakaway thanks to sophomore guard Caroline Reedy, who tied the score 9-9.
Reedy then continued to show her offensive skillset by making a jumper to tie the game 11-11.
The Barons picked up the pace at the end of the first quarter when Gonzales scored unassisted and gave the Barons a 19-15 advantage.
The Golden Tornadoes turned the game around in the second quarter with a strong defensive stand, only allowing the Barons to score five points.
The Tornadoes challenged the Barons offense and defense throughout the first half and built an astounding 19-point lead of 43-24.
McCallen had another free throw at the beginning of the third quarter, but the Tornadoes continued to lead 48-27.
Clow forced a turnover midcourt and threw the ball to sophomore forward Giuliana Biasutto, who jumped and scored with the Barons still behind 56-33.
The Barons stepped on the gas when Clow jumped from the paint and scored unassisted, changing the score to 70-45.
Gonzales made a fastbreak and shot from the paint unassisted. In the middle of the fourth, Reedy stole the ball from Geneva and made a fast break, scoring unassisted to bring the score to 70-51.
The Barons had a couple foul shots in the fourth quarter. McCallen made both of her foul shots toward the end of the fourth, but the Tornadoes still led 83-63.
The Barons continued to fight as the Tornadoes escaped their grasp. Reedy added to the Barons scoring streak to make the score 84-67.
Despite their efforts, the Lady Barons fell to the Golden Tornadoes 86-68. Although the Barons were outscored by 19 points in the second quarter, they outscored the Tornadoes 44-43 in the second half.
“If we execute our press break, play tough-nosed defense, and remain poised and disciplined throughout the game we have a great opportunity to be successful,” said head coach Iliana Spoelman prior to the game.
The Baron’s next home game is Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. against Washington and Jefferson.