Franklin, Ind. - The Franklin College women's basketball team dropped to third place in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) standings following a hard-fought 61-54 loss to Hanover College inside the Spurlock Center on Wednesday.

Franklin (11-8, 9-4 HCAC) had three players reach double figures, led by junior Katie Brewer (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) with 14 points. She also grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and added a career-high six blocks. Freshman Kelsey Smith (Lexington, Ind./Scottsburg) scored 11 points and sophomore Mandy Fisher (Mooresville, Ind./Mooresville) added 10 points.

The two teams had a defensive battle in the first 20 minutes of the game. Hanover (14-6, 10-3 HCAC) led 20-19 and held the Grizzlies to 22.6 percent shooting in the first half.

In the second half, Franklin took a 37-32 lead with 12:04 left after a free throw by Smith. The Panthers answered and took a 44-41 lead on a three pointer by Alicia Hopkins at the 7:55 mark. Hanover used a 10-3 run over the next three minutes to take its largest lead of the game at 10 points, 54-44.

However, the hosts responded with six straight points. A basket by sophomore Lauren DeSutter (Pittsboro, Ind./Tri-West) brought Franklin within four points, 54-50, with 3:22 left. The Grizzlies trailed 56-52 after a jumper by Smith at the 1:22 mark. Hanover made five free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

Hopkins scored a game-high 16 points and Jessie Davidson added 15 points for the Panthers.

Franklin returns to action on Saturday, February 7, at 4 p.m. when it travels to Bluffton University. Live statistics will be available. In-game updates will also be available on Twitter (@FCAthletics) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinCollegeAthletics).