FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College women's basketball team hosted their first game inside the Spurlock Center on Friday (Jan. 22) night, welcoming the Defiance Yellow Jackets to town for the first of back-to-back contests against their conference rival from Ohio.

After a slow start, the Grizzlies (2-0, 2-0 HCAC) found their groove at both ends of the floor, especially on the defensive end where they held Defiance (0-3, 0-1 HCAC) to just 31% (18-for-58) shooting in a 61-47 win.

Junior Jessica Nix turned in a stellar effort for the Grizzlies, leading the team with nine points and 12 rebounds. In the 30 minutes the Martinsville, Ind.-native was on the floor, the Grizzlies out-scored their opponent by 18 points.

The opening period saw the Yellow Jackets look to attack from deep, with Defiance knocking down four first quarter threes and shooting 50% (7-for-14) from the field in the game's first 10 minutes. The Jackets led by as many as seven in the opening period, but Franklin would make a push toward the end of the quarter to cut the Yellow Jacket lead to 19-15 after one.

The second period saw the Grizzlies turn up the heat on defense, as they frustrated their guests and took control of the game. The Yellow Jackets managed just six points on three second quarter field goals, allowing the Grizzlies to take the lead late in the period and a 34-25 edge into the locker room.

A Destiny Cross layup on Franklin's first possession of the second half stretched Franklin's lead to double figures for the first time, but both teams would stall on offense for the next few minutes. After a six-minute scoreless stretch, the Grizzlies regrouped on the offensive end to close out the third quarter, taking a 47-37 lead into the final period. Each time Defiance looked ready to mount a rally in the fourth, the Grizzlies put a stop to any comeback opportunity before the final horn.

Franklin shot 35% (21-for-60) from the floor, knocking down four triples and going 15-for-20 from the line. The Grizzly bench played a massive role in securing the win, out-scoring Defiance's reserves 27-11. Bayleigh Torrance had eight points to lead all Grizzly reserves.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday (Jan. 23) night, this time in Defiance's Weaner Center. Tip-off between the Grizzlies and Yellow Jackets is set for 6:00 p.m.