SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Franklin College men's basketball team closed out their non-conference schedule on Tuesday (Dec. 21), taking on Juniata College (Pa.) in the consolation game of the Wittenberg Holiday Classic.

Junior Carter Crowe had a career-high 21 points and was one of three Grizzlies (6-4) in double figures in the game. Down by as many as 15 points, Franklin battled back to tie the game late in regulation before falling in heart-breaking fashion to the Eagles (6-3), 67-61.

How it Happened
For the second straight day, a slow start plagued the Grizzlies with Juniata racing out to a 20-5 lead through 10 minutes of action. Franklin cut the lead to single digits late in the first half before heading into the locker room facing a 37-26 deficit.

A 9-0 Franklin run opened the second half and got the Grizzlies back within a possession. But momentum swung back in the other direction almost immediately, as a 14-2 Juniata run ran the Eagles' lead to 51-37 with 12:10 to play.

Just as they did earlier in the second half, Franklin clawed their way back to even when a triple from Crowe knotted the game at 61 with 1:05 to go. However, each of the Grizzlies' final possessions turned up empty, allowing the Eagles to close things out at the line.

Inside the Box Score
-Crowe set career-highs with seven field goals and five threes on his way to a career scoring output.
-Franklin shot 41.5% (22-for-53) from the floor, knocking down 10 three-pointers and going 7-for-8 at the line.
-Ty Wright added 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Grizzlies. Matt Krause was the other Franklin player to reach double digits, adding 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
-Mitch O'Mara had a game-high five assists, with Franklin assisting on 16 of their 22 field goals.

Up Next
The Grizzlies are off until New Year's Day, when they resume Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play against the Earlham Quakers. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 1:00 p.m.