FRANKLIN, IND. (December 3, 2016) - The Franklin College men's basketball team opened their conference schedule with a loss to Defiance College in a double overtime thriller. 

Despite trailing by 11 points in the second half of regulation, the Grizzlies were able to mount a rally to tie the contest at 68 before heading into the first overtime period. After a deadlocked first overtime period, the teams battled into the final minute of the second overtime period. The Grizzlies were able to build a 93-89 lead with 44 seconds remaining in the second overtime before a Defiance layup to cut the lead to two. Following a Franklin turnover, Defiance's Michael Parker provided the heroics, knocking down a go-ahead three point jump shot with only three seconds remaining. Senior guard Robbie Prather (Franklin, Ind./Roncalli) had his last second hit the front of the rim as time expired. 

The Grizzlies were led by senior guard Aaron Mann (Indianapolis, Ind./Howe), who scored 29 points and pulled down 14 rebounds. Junior forward John Beineke (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) added a career high 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds of his own. Prather tallied 17 points and freshman guard Kale Morris (Frankfort, Ind./Clinton Prairie) chipped in 11 points off of the bench. 

The Yellow Jackets were led by Parker, who poured in 28 points. Senior guard Devin Mangas added 20 points in the win. Nine Yellow Jackets found the scoring column in the win.

The Grizzlies fall to 2-3 on the season while Defiance picked up their first win to improve to 1-4. Franklin returns to action on Wednesday night, when they host Rose-Hulman. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM from the Spurlock Center.