Steubenville, OH- D'Youville finished their weekend road trip with a close game against Franciscan University. The Franciscan Barons led by 11 at halftime with a score of 51-40 but the Spartans overcame that deficit in the second half with a 10-0 run that put them up 70-68 with 6:20 remaining in the game.

The game went back and forth in the closing minutes, with the teams tied at 77 with 1:59 left to play but after three free throws in the last minute the Barons won 80-77.

The Spartans had five players in double figures led by Kyle Clarke (Olean, NY/Olean) who had a career-high 20 points. Marcus Clarke (Olean, NY/Archbishop Walsh Academy) chipped in 18 points followed by Julian Reed (Cheektowaga, NY/Union-Endicott) with 13 and Jon Gemerek (Cheektowaga, NY/Depew) and Anthony Wiechec (Buffalo, NY/St. Francis) with ten points each.

Jake Maryniewski (Depew, NY/Depew) contributed a career-high 13 assists for the Spartans while Reed and M. Clarke added five blocks and five steals respectively. 

Coach Earl Schunk commented on the game, "We played a really good second half and had two chances to win. If we can start to put two halves together in the same game, we will start winning."

D'Youville returns from the holiday break on January 4 with a home game against Pitt-Bradford. The game will be held in the College Center Gym at 1:00pm followed by the D'Youville women's team at 3:00pm.