By: Evan Graham

FRANKLIN, Ind.—The Franklin College women's basketball team ended their back-to-back series with Transylvania University on Saturday (Feb. 6) afternoon, hosting the Pioneers inside the Spurlock Center.

Junior Destinee Cross led the way in scoring for the Grizzlies (4-3) with 17 points on 8-for-13 shooting. But the Grizzly offense was unable to muster a late-game comeback, falling to the Pioneers (8-5) by a 62-55 count.

For the second straight night, the Grizzlies fell behind early, but got a shot in the arm late in the opening quarter from their bench. Two Addie Rund threes late in the period capped a first quarter that saw Franklin shoot 8-for-17 from the floor, but still trail the Pioneers 25-18 through 10 minutes.  

Franklin was able to close the gap more during second quarter, relying on a defense that held the Pioneers to 2-for-10 shooting and forced seven turnovers in the period. But Franklin could manage just two field goals of their own in the second quarter and headed into the locker room facing a 34-30 deficit.  

Transylvania began to extend their lead after halftime, going on a 9-2 run that spanned the first four minutes of the third quarter. The third frame proved to be crucial, with Transy going 8-for-16 from the field while holding the Grizzlies to a pair of field goals to stretch the lead to 52-37 with 10 minutes to go.

The Grizzlies mounted a furious rally down the stretch, clawing back to within six points with 1:46 to go after a bucket from Cross. But the Pioneers countered with a three-point play on the very next possession, putting the contest out of reach.  

Franklin shot 33.3% (20-for-60) from the field while out-rebounding the Pioneers 42-33 on the night. Jessica Nix had a game-high eight rebounds to go along with four assists.

The Grizzlies will look to bounce back next week as they will face Mount Saint Joseph University on Thursday (Feb. 11) inside the Spurlock Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.