BETHANY, W.Va. — Franciscan University's Lady Baron basketball team now faces a five-game losing streak after Monday night's loss to the Bethany College Lady Bison, 74-50. Starting the second half with a large deficit put the Lady Barons too far behind, leaving them 0-5 overall on the season. Bethany now stands 1-3.

"Tonight's game was an example of when a team gets stuck in too big a hole the first half," said head coach Luke Heusel. "The girls played much better the second half, but we just couldn't come back. We let too many shots early on, and it just got away."

The Lady Barons were not on the scoreboard until freshman starter Chrissy Guy made two free throws around the three-minute mark. Christine Conrad went 2-3 from the field and sank the only first half three-pointer for the Lady Barons to add eight points before halftime. The first half wrapped in Bethany's favor, 46-23. 

Coach Heusel noted "the second half was executed much better." The Lady Barons attempted to recoup their losses as Conrad and Lacey Huck tallied six and seven points, respectively. Conrad finished the night with a game high of 14 and Huck followed with 10.

Heusel also noted the play of Hannah Flanagan on the night. The sophomore took on the point guard position for the game, a position typically held by Conrad. "I was very happy with Hannah [Flanagan] at point guard," he said. Flanagan notably totaled six rebounds on the night.

"In offense," Heusel added, "one thing we want to do is get to the free throw line. The team shot 31 free throws tonight, and I was pleased with that.

"The team needs to keep working on taking better care of the ball and making better decisions in the passing game. We're improving, but we're still not where we want to be."

The Lady Barons travel to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for their next game on Saturday, Dec. 3. Game time is set for 3 p.m.