MBB Comeback Falls Short

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – The Bethany College men's basketball dug themselves into an early hole, fought back to take a couple of leads, but were outscored 9-2 over the final one minute in losing to Franciscan, 81-74, Wednesday in Presidents' Athletic Conference action inside Finnegan Fieldhouse.  

Stout defense enabled a comeback from a 10-point defense as Bethany forced seven turnovers in a four-minute span to pull even with 3:14 remaining. Franciscan didn't allow the Bison to claim the lead until a pair of free throws by Jess Roller put BC up by one.  

However, just like they had for most of the game – the Barons had an answer. This time in the form of a three-pointer on the ensuing possession by the league's second-leading scorer.  

Franciscan sealed the win by going 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.  

The late-game excitement didn't seem plausible as Bethany got off to a slow start. The Barons scored 12 of the first 15 points and pushed the leads to as much as 16 midway through the opening half. 

Trailing by 18 with four minutes remaining, Bethany embarked on an 11-0 run led by freshman Jess Roller. The guard had a hand in all 11 points, scoring eight and assisting on a three-pointer by sophomore Jaydis Kennedy.  

The aforementioned run was part of a larger 24-3 run that gave Bethany its first lead following a freshman Josh Coffield lay-up. The lead was short-lived as the Baron answered with a three-pointer that jumpstarted a 13-4 spurt that seemingly had the home team ready to coast.  

But, not so fast.  

Bethany wasn't going down without a fight. Unfortunately, Franciscan was able to throw the final haymaker.  

Roller finished with 17 points and four rebounds, while junior Troy Hixson added 15 points and three boards. Junior Ryan Reasbeck contributed 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.  

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES 

• For the first time in two seasons, junior Cole Dailey came off the bench. He finished with two points, marking the first time this season he didn't reach double figures.  
• Bethany started its tenth different lineup this season.  
• Reasbeck has reached double figures 12 times this season, while Roller has achieved the feat 13 times.  
• Hixson has scored in double figures in six of the last eight games, and 10 games total.  

Bethany (6-11 overall, 1-11 PAC) travels to Washington & Jefferson 3 p.m. Saturday.  

This article was written by Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, Jayson Ameer Rasheed. If you believe there are mistakes in information-- or have a separate thought relating to the event in the article -- please email ameer.rasheed@bethanywv.edu for any corrections/comments.