Franklin, Ind. - The Franklin College men's basketball team lost a hard-fought 72-69 overtime contest to rival Hanover College in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) opener during Bankers Rivalry Night on Wednesday from the Spurlock Center.

Franklin (0-6, 0-1 HCAC) forced the extra session when sophomore Aaron Mann (Indianapolis, Ind./Howe) made a layup with 13 seconds left to tie the game at 63-63. Hanover's Kyle James missed a potential game-winning jumper in the closing seconds.

In the overtime period, Franklin took a 69-68 lead at the 1:48 mark after a three-point field goal from sophomore Matt Niehoff (Rushville, Ind./Rushville).

A pair of free throws from V.J. Billups put Hanover on top 70-69 with 1:13 remaining. Mann missed a jump shot on Franklin's next possession, and the Panthers got the defensive rebound. James missed a runner with eight seconds left, but an offensive rebound helped the Panthers keep the ball down the stretch. Hanover's Michael Van Kluenen made a layup with two seconds left to account for the final 72-69 margin.

The Grizzlies were unable to attempt a last second game-tying shot.

Hanover (3-2, 1-0 HCAC) led 31-30 at halftime. Franklin used a strong start in the second half to take 43-40 lead after a three-point field goal by Mann. The Panthers used an 8-0 run to take 48-43 lead following two free throws by Wes McKinney with 12 minutes left.

Franklin responded with back-to-back three pointers from junior Trae Washington (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South) and Mann to regain the lead, 49-48, halfway through the second half.

The lead never got more than two points until two free throws by Hanover's Van Kleunen pushed the lead to 61-57 with 4:34 remaining in the half.

Layups by freshman Jim Mace (Brazil, Ind./Northview) on consecutive offensive possessions tied the game at 61-61 with 1:49 remaining. Two free throws by Hanover's James gave the visitors a 63-61 lead before Mann's game-tying layup with 13 seconds.

Mann led all scorers with 20 points, while Mace added 16 points and eight rebounds. Washington scored 10 of his 13 points in the first half.

The Grizzlies shot 47.4 percent from the field for the game and made five three-point field goals.

Billups led Hanover with 16 points. Van Kleunen scored 12 points and James had 11 points.

Franklin returns to action on Saturday, December 6, at 4 p.m. when it hosts Bluffton University from the Spurlock Center. Live audio, statistics, and video of the game will be available. In-game updates will also be available on Twitter (@FCAthletics) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinCollegeAthletics).