HANOVER, Ind. – The Franklin College women's basketball team faced off against the Hanover Panthers for the second time in three days, with the Grizzlies putting their unbeaten season on the line in Hanover's Collier Arena on Saturday (Jan. 30) afternoon.

The Grizzlies (4-1) and Panthers (4-1) turned in another hard-fought battle, but a big third quarter by Hanover proved to be the difference as the hosts claimed a 68-60 win, ending the Grizzlies' unbeaten start to the year.  

Destinee Cross had a team-high 15 points for Franklin and was joined in double figures by Britney Ballard (12 pts) and Jenna Gates (10 pts). But turnovers proved to be the difference in Saturday's game, as the Panthers forced 31 mistakes and held a 23-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

The Panthers controlled the opening quarter, starting the contest off with a 14-2 run before taking an 18-11 lead into the second quarter. Franklin closed the gap back to single digits before the end of the period thanks to buckets from Cross, Lindsay Freije and Bayleigh Torrance down the stretch.

Franklin continued their run to start the second quarter, clawing back to within a point after a Ballard three capped an 11-0 run to make it 18-17 Panthers. The second quarter featured four ties, but the Grizzlies were unable to claim a lead before the break as Hanover headed into the locker room with a 28-26 edge.

The first three minutes of the third quarter proved to be the game's deciding stretch, as Hanover opened the period with a 14-2 run to stretch their lead back to double figures. But the Grizzlies would cut the Panther lead back into single figures late in the quarter, and trailed 51-42 with 10 minutes to play.

Looking for their second comeback win over the Panthers this week, Franklin continued to chip away at Hanover's lead in the fourth quarter. A triple from Gates followed by a Cassidy Yant jumper brought Franklin within 63-60 with 1:23 to play. But the Grizzlies' valiant comeback bid would ultimately fall short, as Hanover was able to close out the win down the stretch.

Franklin knocked down 41.4% (24-for-58) of their field goals on the day while holding the Panthers to just 34.3% (23-for-67) from the field. For the second straight contest, the Grizzlies dominated on the glass, holding a 46-34 edge in the rebounding battle. Jessica Nix led Franklin with nine rebounds followed by a career-high eight boards from freshman CiCi Bailey.

The Grizzlies will be back on the road on Friday (Feb. 5) night, traveling to Lexington, Ky. to take on the Transylvania Pioneers. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.