NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Franklin College women's basketball team had a big opportunity to move over .500 in league play on Saturday (Dec. 11) afternoon, when they faced off against a red-hot Manchester team that had won five in a row.

The Grizzlies (4-3, 2-1 HCAC) feasted on the Spartans (5-2, 2-1 HCAC) down low, out-scoring Manchester 44-18 in the paint on their way to a 76-54 win. Senior Jessica Nix had a career-high 19 points to lead Franklin offensively, as the Grizzlies rolled to their second straight win.

How it Happened
The Grizzlies wasted no time breaking things open, opening the game on a 15-5 run that spanned the first six minutes. Franklin went 10-for-15 from the field and scored 18 points in the paint in the opening quarter and led by as many as 11 before taking a 23-14 edge into the second. The visitor's lead grew to as many as 13 in before the halftime horn, with Franklin leading 35-26 at the break.

The third quarter saw Franklin put the game well out of reach, with an 11-4 run stretching the lead to 17 points at 51-34 with four minutes to go in the period. That lead would continue to grow in the final frame, with Franklin's defense holding Manchester to 4-for-16 in the fourth.

Inside the Box Score
-Franklin shot a season-best 51.9% (27-for-52) from the field and knocked down 21-of-28 free throws.
-The Griz defense clamped down on Manchester's offense, holding the Spartans to 26.7% (16-for-60) from the field.
-Destinee Cross added 16 points and five boards while Sarah O'Day netted career highs with 11 points, seven assists and three blocks.
-Franklin put on a master class in rebounding, grabbing 52 boards to Manchester's 24. Sophomore CiCi Bailey pulled down 15 rebounds, giving her double-digit board totals in four games this year.
-Bench points were 23-14 in Franklin's favor. Bailey and Maddie Barnes had eight points each to tie for the lead among FC reserves.
-Two Grizzlies made their career debuts on Saturday, with freshman guard Addi Charles and forward Averi Phelps seeing their first action in the blue and gold.

Up Next
Franklin is back in action on Monday, Dec. 20, traveling north to take on the Albion Britons in non-conference play. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.