DeSutter Video

Franklin, Ind. - Franklin College sophomore Lauren DeSutter (Pittsboro, Ind./Tri-West) scored a career-high 28 points in leading the women's basketball team to a 69-50 home Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) win over Mount St. Joseph University on Saturday from the Spurlock Center.

DeSutter made 11-of-17 shots from the floor, including four three-point field goals. She scored 17 points in the first half as the Grizzlies built a 37-20 advantage after the opening 20 minutes.

Freshman Kelsey Smith (Lexington, Ind./Scottsburg) scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Senior Nichole Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Greenwood) added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Freshman Madi Kolthoff (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) came off the bench to score nine points.

Franklin (9-7, 7-3 HCAC) held the Lions to 28.9 percent shooting to remain in a three-way tie for second place in the HCAC.

The hosts used an 18-2 run early in the first half to seize control of the game. DeSutter accounted for 12 points during the scoring spurt. Franklin took a 24-10 lead after a three-point field goal by Smith with 7:53 left in the first half.

Later, a three pointer by Kolthoff gave the Grizzlies a 33-16 advantage with 3:16 remaining.

In the second half, the margin remained in double digits. Kolthoff put Franklin ahead by 24 points, 54-30, after a three-point field goal with 11:59 left in the game. MSJ could only get as close as 13 points during the second half.

Franklin returns to action on Wednesday, January 28, at 7:30 p.m. when it travels to Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana. The Grizzlies will be looking to even the season series after the Spartans won 57-45 on January 7.

Live 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).