BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Franklin men's basketball team used a suffocating defensive effort to notch their second win in a row, taking down the Bluffton Beavers on Saturday (Jan. 14) afternoon.
 
The Grizzlies (9-6, 5-3 HCAC) held the Beavers (4-11, 2-6 HAC) to just 28.3% (15-for-53) shooting on the afternoon and had three players finish in double figures as part of a 59-45 win. The 45 points allowed is a season-low for the Grizzlies and the fewest surrendered in a game since they allowed 48 to Manchester on Feb. 2, 2013.
 
How it Happened
Bluffton scored the game's first three points but then went more than 10 game minutes without a point recorded thanks to the Franklin defense. At the other end of the floor the Griz offense rattled off 15 straight points and led by as many as 17 in the opening half before taking a 26-13 lead into the break. Franklin limited Bluffton to just five first half field goals and forced 12 turnovers that turned into 16 first half points.
 
The Beavers cut the deficit into single digits early in the second half but Franklin pulled away for good with an 8-0 run that made it 34-17 with 16 minutes to play. The Grizzlies would lead by as many as 20 before the final buzzer and never saw their lead dip into single digits the rest of the way.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin shot 37.7% (20-for-53) from the field and 8-for-23 from behind the three-point line.
-Ryan Bostic led all players with 15 points and three blocks.
-Lynn King recorded the third double-double of his season with 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
-Cody Samples chipped in with 11 points and knocked down a team-high three three-pointers.
-Rebounds were 40-34 in Franklin's favor.
-The Griz bench had 24 points to five for Bluffton's reserves.
 
Up Next
Franklin is back at home for the next three games, starting with a Wednesday (Jan. 18) night matchup against the Mount St. Joseph Lions. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 7:30 p.m.