STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- The Grove City College men's basketball team dropped a 78-66 decision Saturday afternoon to host Franciscan (11-7, 6-7) in Presidents' Athletic Conference action at Finnegan Field House. Grove City led 37-27 at halftime but Franciscan shot 17 of 34 (50 percent) from the field in the second half, including a 6-for-9 effort on three-pointers. 

Junior forward Mike Christenson (Oakton, Va./Trinity) paced Grove City (13-5, 10-3) with 23 points while sophomore center Isaac Cherry (Sagamore Hills, Ohio/Nordonia) added 10. 

Grove City trailed 24-18 in the first half before closing the period on a 19-3 run. Consecutive Christenson field goals started the rally while a tip-in by sophomore center Austin Johncour (Sewickley, Pa./Avonworth) tied the game at 24. Cherry's tip-in put the Wolverines ahead and a transition basket by senior center Russ Gump (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) pushed the lead to 28-24. 

Senior guard Jonah Bock (Erie, Pa./McDowell) drained a three-pointer and two free throws later in the half while Christenson's layup in the closing moments of the first half put Grove City up 10.

Grove City shot 25 of 56 (45 percent) from the field for the game while Franciscan finished 29 of 66 (44 percent) overall. Franciscan collected 21 offensive rebounds while Grove City had 18 defensive boards. Overall, Franciscan outrebounded Grove City, 40-32. Cherry led Grove City with six rebounds. Christenson and senior guard Chase Yarberough (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) both had five rebounds. 

Senior forward John Ward (Indian Land, S.C./Covenant Day, N.C.) recorded four assists. Junior guard Kyle Randle (Willowick, Ohio/Eastlake North) added three assists. He also had five steals. Bock and Yarberough each had three steals. 

Grove City turned over the ball 22 times. Franciscan committed 18 turnovers.

Sawyer Butler led Franciscan with 33 points, 23 of which came in the second half.

The Wolverines will visit Washington & Jefferson at 8 p.m. Wednesday in conference play.