OBERLIN, OH – The Beloit College men's basketball team kicked off their 2025-26 season with a hard-fought battle against Franciscan. In a back-and-forth game that saw ten lead changes and four ties, the Buccaneers ultimately fell short in the 70-68 loss.
The Buccaneers (0-1, 0-0 MWC) started strong, leading by as many as 14 points in the first half at the 11:08 mark. Their offensive efficiency was notable, as they shot an impressive 51.9% from the field in the first half, converting on 14 of 27 shots. Beloit's dominance in the paint was a key factor, with 40 points coming from inside the lane, highlighting their ability to attack the basket effectively. Fast break opportunities also favored Beloit, contributing 14 points to their tally.
However, Franciscan (1-0, 0-0 PAC) managed to chip away at Beloit's lead, capitalizing on turnovers to generate 24 points compared to Beloit's 12. Franciscan's free throw accuracy, converting 75% of their attempts, also played a crucial role in keeping them in the game.
Leading the charge for Beloit was Semaj Roy (Chicago, Ill.), who delivered an outstanding performance with 26 points, shooting an efficient 8-of-12 from the field and an impressive 9-of-14 from the free-throw line. Roy notched his first double-double of the season, collecting 13 boards. Roy's ability to drive and draw fouls was a significant asset for the team. Thomas Glenn (Waukesha, Wis.) also contributed with 10 points and three boards. Dae'Quan Davis (Chicago, Ill.) added 10 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, showcasing his presence on both ends of the court.
With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Franciscan extended their lead to 8 but free throws from Roy and Glenn as well as a triple from Will Schubert (Fox Lake, Ill.), the Bucs pulled within 1. A tip in by Davis, gave Beloit the lead momentarily. In the end, the dagger for the Barons came in the form of a fast-break three pointer with three seconds left on the clock.
The Bucs will bounce back and play the loser of Oberlin and Adrian at 1 pm tomorrow.
