FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College women's basketball team opened Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play on Wednesday (Dec. 1) night, taking on the No. 12-ranked team in the country in the Transylvania Pioneers inside the Spurlock Center.

The Grizzlies (2-3, 0-1 HCAC) threw everything they had at the nationally ranked Pioneers (6-0, 1-0 HCAC) before falling short 72-62.

How it Happened
Franklin held the better of the matchup through the opening 10 minutes, shooting 8-for-13 from the field while holding Transy to 7-for-20 from the floor to lead 20-16 after a quarter. The Grizzlies' lead grew to as many as eight when Jessica Nix sank a jumper with 5:02 to play to make it 29-21, but the hosts managed just one point the rest of the half while the Pioneers rallied to take a 34-30 lead at the break.

A bucket from Sarah O'Day with 6:18 to go in the third quarter cut Transy's lead to three, but the Pioneers rode a big run late in the quarter to lead by as many as 15 and eventually take a 54-45 lead into the fourth quarter. Franklin surged to get back within four early in the final frame, but couldn't close the gap and closer before the final horn.

Inside the Box Score
-Senior Destinee Cross had a season-high 19 points, going 9-for-13 from the field and swatting two shots.
-Freshman Jasmine Walker reached double figures for the first time in her career, adding 12 points off the bench and grabbing six boards.
-The Grizzlies connected on 41.3% (26-for-63) for their shot attempts while holding the Pioneers to 42.4% (25-for-59) on the night.
-Each team pulled down 40 rebounds, with Bayleigh Torrance leading the Grizzlies with seven boards.
-Franklin held a 42-32 advantage on points in the paint.

Up Next
Franklin is back in action at home for the final time in the calendar year on Saturday (Dec. 4), hosting the Defiance Yellow Jackets in another league contest. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.