Defiance, Ohio - The Grizzlies lost to the Defiance Yellow Jackets 66-85 in the opening round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament on Tuesday evening.

The Grizzlies came out strong in the first half leading 20-10 with 12:00 minutes left, however the Yellow Jackets were quick to make adjustments and respond. The Yellow Jackets took lead 37-34 in to halftime.

Franklin was able to tie the game 48-48 with 12:50 left in the second half, but Defiance slowly started to pull away. Shooting woes and lack of rebounds in the second half plagued the Grizzlies chances of coming back.

Junior guard Bailey Howard led the Grizzlies in scoring with 18 points. Senior forward Gunner Erwin added 17 points and grabbed 8 of the Grizzlies' 24 rebounds for the evening.

The Grizzlies finish the season 9-9 in the conference and 14-12 overall.

Defiance will take on #1 seed Rose-Hulman on Feb. 21 at Rose-Hulman at 8:00 p.m.