Intensity Reigns in Game Versus Frostburg

STEUBENVILLE – It was fast-paced game for the Franciscan University of Steubenville Barons basketball team against the Frostburg State Bobcats on Monday night, with a loss of 79-63. The Barons now stand 5-14 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference and 6-17 overall. Frostburg holds a 4-0 series advantage over Franciscan University since the Barons entering the AMCC last season.

The Barons matched the Bobcat’s intensity for the majority of the first half, but Frostburg pulled ahead to take a 42-26 advantage by halftime. Andrew Kay’s breakaway slam dunk on a pass from Thomas Klienschnitz and a reciprocal dunk by Frostburg’s Jamal Bracken highlighted the intensity of the first half. The Barons tried to match Frostburg’s second half strength but it was not enough to cut into the lead Frostburg built in the first period.

“We just couldn’t keep up with them,” Matt Liedel noted. “They played at a fast pace. We should have tried to slow down the tempo, but we were unable to do that.”

Matt Liedel had another impressive game for the Barons, registering a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Ducoulombier led all scorers with 16 points and gathered seven boards. Connor Flanagan had 15 points on 7-for-13 shooting while tallying six rebounds. Brian Anderson led Frostburg with 13 points while teammates Busha Koffa and Jamal Bracken had 12 and 11 points, respectively.

“Frostburg was extremely physical tonight,” Barons coach Sean Donovan commented. “We just couldn’t get anything to fall from beyond the arc and that hurt us tonight. We let them dictate the tempo of game, but I want to commend our guys – they played with heart tonight. We had some good stretches and worked the ball inside well. Frostburg is just a very talented team.”

The Barons travel to La Roche College this Wednesday to play the Redhawks at 8 p.m.