Greencastle, Ind. - Franklin College men's basketball juniors Aaron Mann (Indianapolis, Ind./Howe) and Robbie Prather (Franklin, Ind./Roncalli) each scored 20 or more points in a hard-fought 84-79 loss at DePauw University on Tuesday evening.

Franklin (0-2) used a 10-5 run over the final 5:28 of the first half to trail the Tigers 38-37 at halftime. DePauw (1-0) made three three-point field goals in the first two minutes of the second half to take a 46-39 lead.

The Grizzlies responded with seven straight points to tie the contest at 46-46. Junior John Beineke (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) made two layups before a three pointer by Prather during the stretch.

The two teams battled back and forth with the largest lead of three points for most of the second half.

DePauw took a 73-67 lead with 4:39 left after splitting a pair of free throws.

Franklin attempted a late rally with the visitors getting within two points on two occasions in the final minute.

Senior Matt Niehoff (Rushville, Ind./Rushville) made a layup at the 3:13 mark before Mann connected on a three-point field goal with 2:41 left. The basket brought Franklin within three points, 75-72. Later, Niehoff made a layup to cut the deficit to 78-76 with 1:04 left.

DePauw made five free throws to extend the lead to 83-76 with 11 seconds left. Mann made a three pointer with eight seconds left before the Tigers connected on one free throw for the five point final margin.

Mann scored a season-high 26 points and had a team-high seven rebounds, while Prather added a career-high 22 points. Prather made all eight of his free throw attempts. Beineke chipped in 10 points, while senior Trae Washington (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South) scored eight points.

Franklin returns to action on Thursday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m. when it hosts Centre College (Kentucky) from the Spurlock Center. Live statistics of the game will be available. In-game updates will also be available on Twitter (@FCAthletics). Like the Grizzlies on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinCollegeAthletics), and on Instagram (@fcgrizzlies).