RICHMOND, Ind. – The Franklin women's basketball team started round two of Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play on Saturday (Jan. 25) afternoon, taking on the Earlham Quakers in search of a season-sweep of their in-state rival.

Powered by a dominant second half, the Grizzlies (11-5, 7-3 HCAC) overwhelmed the Quakers (4-13, 3-7 HCAC) to win 85-61, notching their third victory in a row.

The Grizzlies used an efficient first quarter to jump out to an early lead, going 8-for-15 in the opening period while holding the Quakers to just 4-for-16 from the floor. Taylor McDaniel sparked the team with six points in the period and Franklin got triples from Ashlin Aycock, Destinee Cross and Cassidy Yant to take a 19-16 lead into the second quarter.

Six straight points from the Quakers opened the second quarter and put the hosts in front, but Franklin responded with eight straight points to take a 27-22 lead with five minutes to go in the first half. Franklin closed out the period strong and headed into the locker room holding a 37-31 lead.

Midway through the third quarter was when Franklin put the game out of reach. Leading by four with seven minutes to go in the period, Franklin ripped off 15 straight points to make it a 55-36 game with 2:39 left in the third. The Grizzlies went 9-for-13 from the field in the third along, out-scoring the Quakers 25-14 to take a 62-45 lead into the final frame.

That proved to be more than enough cushion for the Grizzlies, who would lead by as many as 24 and never by less than 12 before the final horn sounded.

Senior Taylor McDaniel set a new career-high with 15 points, tying Ballard for the team lead in scoring. Destinee Cross and Bayleigh Torrance also finished in double figures, registering 11 points each. Franklin shot 44.4% (28-for-63) from the floor, knocking down eight three-pointers and connecting on 21 free throws.

Franklin's defense limited the Quakers to 27.7% (18-for-65) shooting and held a 46-38 edge on the glass. Bayleigh Walker led all players with eight rebounds. Franklin lost the turnover battle 15-14, but turned those 14 Quaker mistakes into 25 points on the offensive end.

The Grizzlies return to action on Wednesday (Jan. 29), when they welcome ninth-ranked Transylvania to the Spurlock Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.