ELSAH, Ill. – The Franklin College women's basketball team packed up and hit the road on Saturday (Nov. 19) for their first contest away from home, taking on the Principia Panthers.
 
The Grizzlies (1-1) dominated the Panthers (2-1) defensively, holding Principia to 25.4% shooting from te floor and forcing 21 turnovers to roll to a 77-54 win. Three players finished the day in double figures for head coach Jessica Johnson's club, giving the Franklin grad her first career win as a college head coach.
 
How it Happened
The Grizzlies grabbed the lead on their first possession of the day with a triple from Jordan Coon, starting an 11-2 run to open the game. The Panthers fought back to get within striking distance, closing the game to 14-9 after 10 minutes of action. The Panthers kept the game close until late in the first half, when a 12-1 FC run to close out the first half sent the Grizzlies into the locker room with a 36-24 lead.
 
Franklin wasted no time stretching the lead in the second half, starting out the third quarter with a 15-1 run. In total, the Grizzlies held Principia without a field goal for almost 10 minutes of game time between the second and third quarters and ran away with the convincing win as a result.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Coon led the Grizzlies with 14 points on the afternoon, followed by 13 points from Taylor Cooney and 11 from CiCi Bailey.
-Franklin connected on 45.2% (28-for-62) of their field goals, knocking down five threes and 16 of their 19 free throw attempts.
-Bailey topped the Grizzlies with seven boards as both teams grabbed 43 rebounds on the day.
-Franklin dominated the game in the paint, out-scoring Principia 42-18 inside.
-Franklin also held advantages in points off turnovers (30-12), fast break points (25-5) and bench points (30-4).
 
Up Next
The Grizzlies are back at home on Tuesday (Nov. 22) night, hosting the Albion Britons. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 7:00 p.m.