FRANKLIN – In a rematch of last season's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) title game, the Franklin men's basketball team never trailed in a 79-74 win over the Hanover Panthers on Wednesday (Jan. 11) night.
 
The Grizzlies (8-6, 4-3 HCAC) raced out to a big lead early and held off a furious charge from the Panthers (8-6, 4-3 HCAC) to snap a two-game skid and earn back-to-back wins over their rival for the first time since 2013.
 
How it Happened
Franklin made their first five shot attempts and opened up a 17-2 lead over the game's first six minutes. Hanover clawed their way back into things with a 13-3 run over the next four minutes, and the Panthers were back to even with 2:03 to go in the first half when a three made it a 33-33 contest. Threes from Carter Crowe and Ryan Bostic in the final 1:07 sent the Griz into the half with a 39-35 lead.
 
A strong start to the second half saw Franklin extend their lead back to 15 at 56-41 after a layup from Lynn King with 15:10 to go. Franklin's lead stayed in double figures until the final four minutes, when Hanover turned up the intensity at both ends of the floor to get back within 73-71 with 1:41 to go.
 
In desperate need of a bucket in the final minute, King came through in the clutch with a tough layup that stretched the lead to four with 48 seconds to go. An Hanover turnover followed the layup and Franklin got free throws Trey Flatt and Cody Samples to close out the win.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Ryan Bostic had a huge game off the bench, leading the Grizzlies with 21 points and four steals.
-Five Grizzlies finished the game in double figures with Samples (15 pts), King (13 pts), Crowe (12 pts) and Flatt (11 pts) all turning in strong offensive outings.
-Franklin shot 47.5% (29-for-61) from the floor while holding Hanover to 46.4% (26-for-56) on the nigt.
-King led all Franklin players with seven rebounds and Crowe topped the team with three assists.
-Franklin cashed in for 23 points off 14 Hanover turnovers.
 
Up Next
Franklin hits the road on Saturday (Jan. 14) afternoon for the first of two meetings this season with the Bluffton Beavers. Tip-off from Ohio is set for 4:00 p.m.