Franklin, Ind. - The Franklin College women's basketball clinched a bid to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) tournament with a 41-36 win over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Wednesday from the Spurlock Center. The win also secured the program's seventh consecutive winning season.

The Grizzlies (13-10, 11-6 HCAC) conclude the regular season with a home contest against Defiance College on Senior Day on Saturday, February 21, at 2 p.m.

Rose-Hulman (12-12, 8-9 HCAC) jumped out to an 11-2 advantage seven minutes into the contest.

Franklin scored six straight points to get within 11-8 after a layup by junior Katie Brewer (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) with 6:19 left in the first half.

The visitors led 21-15 at halftime and built a 10-point lead, 27-17, following a jumper by Carrie Morris early in the second half.

The Grizzlies climbed back in the game behind five consecutive points by freshman Madi Kolthoff (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) near the midway point of the period. A three-point field goal by Koltoff cut the deficit to 29-27 at the 13:27 mark.

Franklin tied the game at 29-29 after a layup by senior Lindsey Dall (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) on the team's next offensive possession.

Rose-Hulman responded with two baskets to take a 33-29 advantage with 10:16 left. That was the last field goal the Fightin' Engineers would make in the contest.

The hosts tied the game at 34-34 after a jumper by senior Nichole Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Greenwood) with 7:52 remaining. A layup by Thompson gave Franklin a 37-34 lead at the 3:56 mark.

Morris converted two free throws with 1:03 left to bring Rose-Hulman within one point, 37-36. The Grizzlies capped the ensuing possession with a layup from Dall with 37 seconds left. The basket gave Franklin a 39-36 lead.

Rose-Hulman missed the front end of a bonus free throw situation and two free throws by Thompson sealed the victory with 15 seconds left. The visitors were unable to get a shot off in the final 15 seconds.

Thompson scored a game-high nine points. Dall added eight points and had eight rebounds. Kolthoff chipped in seven points off the bench.

The Grizzlies held Rose-Hulman to 28.9 percent shooting in the contest.

Throughout the contest, the women's basketball program accepted donations for the Kay Yow Foundation for breast cancer research.

Live statistics and video of Saturday's regular-season finale will be available. In-game updates will also be available on Twitter (@FCAthletics) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinCollegeAthletics).