FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College women's basketball team resumed a three-game homestand on Saturday (Jan. 15) afternoon, welcoming the Bluffton Beavers to the Spurlock Center.

The Grizzlies (4-10, 2-5 HCAC) and Beavers (9-5, 4-3 HCAC) took it down to the wire, where a game-winning Franklin attempt was off the mark, allowing Bluffton to capture a 69-68 win.

How it Happened
The opening period proved to be a sign of things to come for the afternoon, with neither side holding a lead larger than four points in the opening period and Bluffton taking a 17-16 lead into the second. An 11-3 Franklin run opened the second quarter and gave the Griz their biggest lead of the half at 27-22, but Bluffton netted the final six points of the half to take a one-point lead into the locker room.

Franklin opened the second half with their second 11-3 run of the game to open up the biggest lead by either side at 38-31 with 6:55 to go in the third. A strong finish to the period by the Beavers sent the game into the fourth quarter tied at 48.

Six straight points from the Grizzlies opened up a 59-54 lead for the hosts with 5:43 to play, but the Griz couldn't land the knockout punch and Bluffton responded with a 10-2 run to re-take the lead. The Grizzlies had a look at the game-winner, but Chelbie Anderson's jumper rimmed out at the horn.

Inside the Box Score
-For the second straight game, senior Destinee Cross topped the Grizzlies in scoring with 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
-Sophomore CiCi Bailey added 12 points in a starting role.
-The Grizzlies knocked down 41.3$ (26-for-63) of their shot attempts, burying nine threes on the afternoon.
-Franklin assisted on 19 of their 26 field goals made. Jessica Nix and Libby Baker tied for the team lead with four helpers each.
-The Grizzlies' bench chipped in with 29 points, with Maddie Barnes and Georgia Hanauer pouring in eight points each. 

Up Next
The Grizzlies wrap up a three-game homestand on Wednesday (Jan. 19) night, hosting the Mount St. Joseph Lions in the final game of the first leg of conference play. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.