FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College women's basketball team got the 2021-22 regular season underway on Friday (Nov. 12) night inside the Spurlock Center in a matchup with the Olivet Comets.

The Grizzlies (1-0) swarmed the Comets (1-1) from all angles in a 91-76 victory. Five different Grizzlies reached double figure point totals with the Franklin bench accounting for 50 points in the game.

How it Happened
The two teams stayed within a possession of each other until late in the first quarter, when Franklin scored 10 of the final 13 points in the period to take a 27-21 lead into the second period. The Grizzlies stayed hot in the next period, scoring the first nine points of the second to take their biggest lead of the half end route to a 49-38 halftime lead.

Franklin broke the game wide open in the third quarter, stretching their lead to 71-53 by the end of the period thanks to a Chelbie Anderson buzzer-beating three. The lead would grow to as many as 22 points before the final horn sounded.

Inside the Box Score
-Franklin reached the 90-point mark for the first time since Dec. 28, 2019 when they poured in 95 points in a win over Salve Regina.
-The Grizzlies shot 43.2% (32-for-74) from the field, knocking down 8-of-20 three-pointers and 19-of-25 free throws.
-Making her first career start, junior Bayleigh Torrance poured in a game-high 19 points while grabbing six rebounds.
-Sophomore CiCi Bailey set career highs with 14 points and 14 rebounds, recording her first career double-double and first game with double digit rebounds.
-Anderson also provided some scoring punch off the bench, finishing with a career-high 17 points with a team-high four three-pointers.
-Five Grizzlies managed double-figure point totals with Destinee Cross and Sarah O'Day adding 10 points each to join Torrance, Anderson and Bailey.
-Rebounds were 54-38 in Franklin's favor, with the Grizzlies pulling down 19 offensive boards.
-Six Grizzlies made their career debuts on Friday night, with O'Day, Jenna Louden, Maddie Barnes, Misti Kimberlin, Bailey Gibson and Sydney Doan all seeing the floor. 

Up Next
Franklin hits the road next Friday (Nov. 19) night to take on the Centre Colonels on day one of the Centre Invitational. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.