DEFIANCE, Ohio – Powered by one of the best team shooting performances in program history, the Franklin men's basketball team opened the conference slate with a dominant 111-77 win over Defiance on Saturday (Dec. 3) afternoon.
 
The Grizzlies (4-3, 1-0 HCAC) knocked down an unofficial program record 23 three-pointers on the day, putting the game out of reach early in the first half. Senior Carter Crowe set a new career-high with 30 points and matched a single-game program record with eight triples on the afternoon.
 
How it Happened
It was all Grizzlies from the jump, as they took the lead on the first possession of the game and never let it go. Franklin opened the game with a 14-2 run and took a double digit lead for good when a Crowe triple made it 17-5 with 16:26 to go in the opening half. The onslaught continued as Franklin's lead grew as high as 32 points before the first half wrapped up, with the Griz burying 13 threes in the first half alone.
 
Franklin held their largest lead of the afternoon at 37 points early in the second half and with five minutes to go in the game, the Grizzlies surpassed the century mark in scoring for the first time since 2019.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin had a torrid shooting afternoon all around, knocking down 54.7% (41-for-75) of their field goals and shooting 52.3% (23-for-44) from deep.
-Crowe's 30 points set a new career high and he becomes the first Grizzly to hit the 30-point mark this season. His eight threes tied him with Brad Jones, Jim Sigler and Trae Washington for the most in a single game in school history.
-Ryan Bostic finished with a career-high 17 points, followed by Trey Flatt with 16 points and Logan Hudgins with 13 points.
-Rebounds were 38-35 in Franklin's favor, with Crowe's nine leading all players.
-Crowe and Lynn King handed out six assists each, leading a Franklin team that finished with a season-high 31 in the game.
-The Grizzlies won the turnover battle 16-9 and turned those Defiance mistakes into 30 points.
 
Up Next
Franklin is back in action next Saturday (Dec. 10) afternoon, hosting the Manchester Spartans in the first of three straight on their home floor. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 3:00 p.m.