FRANKLIN – The Franklin men's basketball team is heading into the holiday on a high after downing Spalding on Saturday (Dec. 17) afternoon in the team's final non-conference game of the year.
 
Sophomore Lynn King had a team-high 18 points for the Grizzlies (5-4) and was one of three players in double figures for the home side. Cody Samples added 11 points and Carter Crowe had 10 for Franklin as they held off a second half push from the Golden Eagles (1-8) to earn the win.
 
How it Happened
After falling into a 9-1 hole, the Grizzlies got the offense going and responded with an 18-2 run to take a 19-11 lead with nine minutes to go in the first half. Franklin's lead grew as big as 13 in the opening 20 minutes and that's where it stood at the break when a Cody Samples three at the buzzer sent the hosts into the half with a 36-23 lead.
 
Franklin's lead expanded to as many as 18 points at 52-34 after a three from Crowe with 14:05 to play. But the offense hit a bit of a cold spell down the stretch and Spalding was able to cut the lead down to five in the final minute of play. But two Logan Hudgins free throws slammed the door shut on a comeback bid before the final horn sounded.
 
Inside the Box Score
-The Grizzlies knocked down 37.1% (23-for-62) of their field goals while the Eagles shot 40.4% (23-for-57) on the day.
-Turnovers proved to be the biggest story of the game, with Franklin forcing 22 Spalding turnovers and converting them into 25 points.
-Hudgins led the Grizzlies with 12 rebounds followed by seven from King.
-Franklin's bench had 17 points on the day, led by eight from Jack Hendricks.
 
Up Next
The Grizzlies are off until Dec. 28, when they resume conference play with a home game against the Transylvania Pioneers. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 5:00 p.m.