BIG NIGHT — Franciscan’s Sawyer Butler puts in a layup for two of his game-high 24 points in a pivotal 95-76 victory for the Barons over Saint Vincent on Wednesday night. - Andrew Grimm

The Barons entered the night in a three-way tie for second place in the President’s Athletic Conference south division and were welcoming the division leader Saint Vincent, who was on a nine-game win streak.

And, on top of those postseason stakes, it was also senior night.

The importance of the moment was evident from the get go as the Barons came out flying, hit three early 3s and jumped out to a double-digit lead. From there, they had all the needed answers to stay in front, never trailing on the way to a pivotal 95-76 victory inside the Finnegan Fieldhouse.

“We’ve been practicing really well and playing really well at both ends of the floor,” Franciscan head coach Joe Wallace said. “We have a really good team. It was a tournament-like game,”

HARD SHOT — Franciscan senior Malachi Rose-Burton takes a contested shot against Saint Vincent. He scored on the play despite being fouled. - Andrew Grimm

With the victory, the Barons improved to 19-5 on the season and 11-4 in PAC play, now in a four-way tie for first place in the south division headed into the final weekend of the regular season.

“There’s four teams tied for first place now, we can finish fourth and go on the road or finish first and be here all the way through, a lot can happen,” Wallace said. “We just have to take care of business Saturday and take care of what we can control and let the chips fall where they may.”

As he has all season, Sawyer Butler led the way for the Barons, netting a game-high 24 points to go with team-highs in rebounds (nine) and assists (three) while also having a block and a steal.

He was one of four Barons to reach double figures as Zach Oliver tallied 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists off the bench, Anthony Covetta tallied 13 points, also off the bench, and Aiden Townsend tallied 10 points.

Senior Reece Miller, who was honored prior to the game along with Monroe Central graduate Malachi Rose-Burton, hit two early 3s to spark the early run.

REBOUNDING — Franciscan’s Karl Yonkeu jumps for a rebound on Wednesday night. - Andrew Grimm

“Reece Miller and Malachi Rose-Burton came in here four year ago and this floor was flooded, we were off campus until after Christmas, they were here through the hard times and stuck with it,” Wallace said. “Now they’ve been here for the really good times. We’ve got to bring a championship home for those guys. We have a championship-built team, now we have to get it done.

“Reece hitting those two 3s was awesome, that’s a great moment for a kid who’s been toward the end of the bench but has been a great leader on this team. He comes in, sticks two 3s, plays great defense … he ignited this team. Thats what this is about here, these guys love each other and play hard for each other.”

The Barons opened a 13-2 lead and then led 22-7 near the midpoint of the first half. The Bearcats (16-8, 11-4 PAC) pulled within six twice before halftime, but the Barons opened the lead back up to as many as 12 before leading by nine, 39-30, at the break.

Franciscan started the second half strong, pushing the margin to as many as 24 and never let it drop to single digits the rest of the way on the way to the 19-point victory.

FUS shot 66.7 percent in the second half after being an even 50 percent in the first half. They tallied 56 points after halftime, had a 50-34 advantage in points in the paint, 22-10 in fast break points and 47-30 in points off the bench.

IN THE PAINT — Franciscan women’s basketball standout and Madonna grad Jazzy Melnyk takes the ball to the hoop against Saint Vincent on Wednesday. - Andrew Grimm

The Barons close the regular season Saturday afternoon with a pivotal trip to Bethany.

FUS Women fall

The Lady Barons fell behind early and dropped a 68-35 decision to PAC leading Saint Vincent’s women in the early game on senior day.

Maria McCallen led FUS (3-21, 0-15 PAC) with 14 points and six rebounds. Madonna grad Jazzy Melnyk, playing in her final home game for the Barons, grabbed five boards and dished five assists while tallying two points.

The FUS women also travel to Bethany on Saturday.