Hanover, Ind. - The Franklin College men's basketball team cut a 20-point halftime deficit to seven points midway through the second half. But, that would be as close as the Grizzlies would get in 75-63 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) loss at Hanover College on Wednesday.

Franklin (5-15, 4-9 HCAC) was led by sophomore Aaron Mann (Indianapolis, Ind./Howe) with 26 points. He made four three-point field goals and tied for team-high honors with seven rebounds. Sophomore Robbie Prather (Franklin, Ind./Roncalli) also reached double figures with 11 points.

Hanover (10-10, 7-6 HCAC) used a 23-5 run over the final eight minutes of the first half to build a 48-28 halftime advantage.

A jumper by sophomore Matt Niehoff (Rushville, Ind./Rushville) trimmed the Panthers lead to 25-23 with 8:13 left in the first half. Hanover scored 14 consecutive points during the late first-half surge.

In the second half, a three pointer by Mann brought the visitors within 12 points, 58-46, at the 8:45 mark. A pair of free throws by junior Trae Washington (Bloomington, Ind./Bloomington South) and another Mann three-point field goal cut the deficit to 58-51 with 7:34 left.

Hanover pushed the margin back into double digits on a layup by V.J. Billups with 5:13 remaining. A basket by sophomore John Beineke (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) got Franklin within nine points, 66-57, one minute later. That was as close as the Grizzlies would get in the final minutes.

Hanover's Kyle James scored 18 points and Billups added 17 points.

Franklin closes out its three-game HCAC road swing when it travels to Bluffton University on Saturday, February 7, at 2 p.m. Live statistics will be available. In-game updates will also be available on Twitter (@FCAthletics) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinCollegeAthletics).