Franklin, Ind. - The Franklin College men's basketball team lost its second consecutive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) game by four or fewer points, losing 74-70 to Bluffton University on Saturday inside the Spurlock Center.

Franklin (0-7, 0-2 HCAC) placed four players in double figures, led by sophomore Brett McCory (Vallonia, Ind./Brownstown Central) with a career-high 18 points. He shot 7-of-9 from the floor and made both of his three-point field goal attempts.

Junior Trae Washington (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South) scored 16 points. Freshman Jim Mace (Brazil, Ind./Northview) added 13 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore John Beineke (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) chipped in 11 points off the bench.

Bluffton (4-2, 2-0 HCAC) was led by Thayne Recker's 33 points. Andrew Finley scored 15 points and had five assists.

The Beavers made 22 of their 25 free throw attempts compared to Franklin's 13 of 22 shooting from the free throw line.

The two teams traded runs in the first half. The Grizzlies jumped out to a 9-3 lead four minutes into the contest. Bluffton took a 15-13 lead after a layup from Billy Taflinger at the 11:43 mark. The hosts grabbed a 21-15 lead moments later after a three-point field goal by Washington and a three-point play from sophomore Aaron Mann (Indianapolis, Ind./Howe).

The first half featured nine ties and four lead changes. The score was tied, 35-35, at halftime after Beineke drained a three pointer with 30 seconds left in the period.

In the second half, Bluffton took a 47-43 lead after a layup from Recker with 15:38 left. The Grizzlies tied the game at 49-49 following a layup by Washington with 11:35 remaining.

The teams traded baskets midway through the second half. A layup by Mace squared the game at 57-57 at the 8:50 mark.

Franklin took a 58-57 lead after a free throw by Mann with 7:37 left. Bluffton took the largest lead of the second half, 64-58, following a layup by Taflinger with 5:42 remaining. The Grizzlies got within one point, 68-67, after sophomore Robbie Prather (Franklin, Ind./Roncalli) split a pair of free throws with 2:08 left.

Bluffton made all six of its free throw attempts down the stretch to secure the road win.

The game featured 15 ties and 10 lead changes.

Franklin returns to action on Saturday, December 13, at 3 p.m. when it travels to Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Live audio and statistics of the game will be available. In-game updates will also be available on Twitter (@FCAthletics) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinCollegeAthletics).