STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – January 31, 2026- The Hiram College men's basketball team suffered a 68-55 Presidents' Athletic Conference loss at Franciscan on Saturday afternoon inside Finnegan Fieldhouse.

The game started with back-and-forth action, as both teams slowed it down in the half-court setting. Collin Jones knocked down a turnaround jumper as the shot clock expired and Brock Makrancy hit a three-pointer from the right wing that rattled in the cylinder. Neither team led by more than four points through the first ten minutes of the game. Despite the early scoring from both teams, the Barons scored in a flurry as they closed the half on a 31-11 run through the last 10:48 of the half.

At the intermission, the score stood at 43-24 in favor of the Barons.

The Terriers tamed the monster run to start the second half as they hit three consecutive baskets, a run capped by a Josh Martin jumper. Hiram cut it to a 9-point deficit off a 6-0 run that consisted of a three-pointer and a converted and-1 opportunity, both by Jones. The sophomore from Little Rock, AR was an overall spark in the second half for the Terriers, as 16 of his career-high 25 points came throughout those last 20 minutes. Jones has now scored in double-figures in 13 games this season.

Despite outscoring the Barons 31-25 in the second half, the first half run proved to be too much to overcome. Among the other statistical leaders were DJ Niles with eight rebounds and Drovinsky Ulysse, who led the team in assists (three), steals (two), and blocks (two).

Up next for the Terriers is a rematch against the Thiel Tomcats this Wednesday inside Price Gymnasium. The Terriers dropped a close game against the Tomcats earlier in the season, 58-61. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.