Senior Night Domination

STEUBENVILLE – The Franciscan University of Steubenville Barons basketball team hosted the Christendom College Crusaders in the final contest of the season Saturday night, taking an impressive 89-48 victory. With the Senior Night win, the Barons finished the season 7-18 overall and 5-15 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

The Barons dominated the game from the outset, with a 42-24 advantage by halftime. Led by seniors Josh Ducoulombier, Matt Liedel, Mike Feuz, Pete Burak, and Dan O’Brien, the Barons overwhelmed the Crusaders at both ends of the court. A highlight of the night was Burak’s alley-oop pass to O’Brien, who effortlessly laid it in as the crowd erupted.

Matt Liedel led the Barons in scoring with 18 points and earned a double-double with 10 rebounds. Burak contributed 17 points and Ducoulombier gave 16. Mike Feuz registered 9 points, including two 3-pointers, while Dan O’Brien had four points, two assists, and two steals.

A ceremony honoring the seniors followed the game. All five seniors received personalized basketballs with their teammates’ signatures and a “Baron Alumni” sweatshirt while head coach Sean Donovan honored each senior before the fan-filled bleachers. Donovan lauded Ducoulombier as the all-time leading scorer at FUS, and described Liedel as “a game-changer” who is “one of best players to ever step on this court.”

Donovan then addressed Burak, a player who has overcome many injuries during his career and “is stronger because of what he’s been through”. Donovan commented that Burak is, without question, “the best defensive player FUS has ever had”.

Donovan continued on in honoring Feuz, characterizing him as one of the hardest competitors he has ever seen in his seven years of coaching. “I'm so proud of Mike,” said Donovan. “He’s been through a lot, he’s gone through so much, and I can’t wait to see where what his future holds.”

Lastly, Donovan addressed O’Brien, the only four-year player being honored that night. “Dan is the first four-year player that I've coached,” he noted, “and has brought to this team something that I've never experienced as a player or as a coach. He is the epitome of a team player. He’s made everyone else here a better player.”

“It’s surreal that it’s over,” O’Brien remarked after the honoring. “We really left it out on the floor this season and we finished strong.”

“I’m definitely not ready for the end,” commented Ducoulombier. “Words can’t describe the bond of this team.”

“We’re all brothers here,” agreed Leidel. “This is the closest team that I’ve ever been a part of.”

Assistant coach Tommy Winland believes that this year’s seniors have paved the way for future success: “The seniors brought a lot of energy to this team. They helped us make huge strides forward, and we’re going to be even better next year because of that. These seniors have truly left a legacy.”

“These five seniors hold a special place in my heart,” Donovan remarked later in the evening. “We made a huge plunge a few seasons ago to enter the NCAA and these five guys have laid the groundwork. I stand here as a proud coach and as a father of this team. While these seniors will be missed, they have left an imprint on the rest of the team that will be carried on. The future is bright for us.”