North Manchester, Ind. - The Franklin College women's basketball team overcame a seven-point deficit midway through the second half to pick up a 51-45 overtime win at Manchester University on Wednesday in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) action.

Franklin (10-7, 8-3 HCAC) remains tied for second-place in the conference standings. The Grizzlies split the season series with the Spartans after Manchester earned a 57-45 win on January 7.

The visitors trailed 32-25 after a pair of free throws by Manchester's Jocelyn Hamilton with 8:03 remaining in regulation. Franklin began the comeback with four quick points. Senior Nichole Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Greenwood) hit two free throws and sophomore Lauren DeSutter (Pittsboro, Ind./Tri-West) connected on a jumper to trim the margin to three points, 32-29, at the 5:17 mark.

Manchester (9-9, 6-5 HCAC) led 39-33 with 2:25 left following two free throws by Justine Kruger. Franklin turned up the defense, allowing the Spartans to score only one point the rest of the second half. A basket by DeSutter trimmed the deficit to four points, 39-35, with 2:14 left. After a free throw by sophomore Mandy Fisher (Mooresville, Ind./Mooresville), the Grizzlies connected on two more free throws from freshman Kelsey Smith (Lexington, Ind./Scottsburg) with 53 seconds left. The free throws brought Franklin within a 39-38 score.

Manchester split two free throws on its next possession. Thompson connected on two free throws to tie the game at 40-40 with 17 seconds left. The Spartans missed a potential game-winning shot to send the contest into overtime.

Franklin took a 45-42 lead with 1:16 left in overtime after a three-point field goal by freshman Madi Kolthoff (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove). Senior Lindsey Dall (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) gave the Grizzlies a five-point lead, 47-42, with under one minute left. DeSutter made four free throws in the final 31 seconds to secure the road triumph.

The Grizzlies held Manchester to 17.4 percent shooting in the first half in taking a 19-13 lead into halftime.

Thompson led Franklin with 11 points and eight rebounds off the bench. DeSutter and Fisher each chipped in 10 points.

Manchester's Katie Arterburn scored a game-high 13 points.

Franklin returns to action on Saturday, January 31, at 1 p.m. when it travels to Anderson University. 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).