Steubenville, OH- The D'Youville Spartans overcame a 17 point deficit against the Franciscan University Barons to win 59-55. Down 25-8 with six minutes left in the first half, the Spartans were able to chip away at the lead and cut it to ten by halftime.

The Spartans came out strong the second half and went on an 8-0 run. With 7:31 left the Spartans took the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. Franciscan was able to get the lead back with 2:31 left in the game but Bridget Andrews (Amherst, NY/Sacred Heart Academy) was able to seal the victory with seven points in the final two minutes. 

"Our defense set the tone in the second half and we were able to execute down the stretch. We had some players step up and make big time plays to win us the game," commented Coach Dan Glover.

D'Youville's defense held Franciscan to a 31.2 field goal percentage and a 11.8 three point percentage. The Spartans forced 17 turnovers which led to 19 points on the offensive end. Four D'Youville players scored in double figures led by freshman Jean-Ann Korona (Washingtonville, NY/Washingtonville) with 14 points. Andrews had a total of 11 points for the game while Shannon Dougherty (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West) and Danette Laguerre (Buffalo, NY/Hutch Tech) had ten points apiece. Korona also led the team in rebounds with a career-high 16. 

The Spartans return on January 4 against Pitt-Bradford after the holiday break. Tip-off is at 3:00 pm in D'Youville's College Center Gym.