FRANKLIN – The Franklin men's basketball team turned in another gritty defensive performance to win their third game in a row, besting Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday (Jan. 18) night in the first of three straight in the Spurlock Center.
 
Three Grizzlies (10-6, 6-3 HCAC) finished the night in double figures and the home side held the lead for all but 49 seconds on the night. Defensively, the Griz held the Lions (6-10, 5-4 HCAC) to 37.3% (19-for-51) from the field and 5-for-25 from three in a 65-53 win.
 
How it Happened
Franklin took the lead 49 seconds into the game on a bucket from Carter Crowe and never looked back. The Lions stayed within striking distance until late in the first half when a 9-2 FC run closed out the first half and sent the hosts into the break with a 32-22 lead.
 
The Lions looked inside early in the second half to try to get back in the game, but Franklin had an answer for them offensively each time. The Mount would only get within eight points of erasing the deficit over the final 20 minutes, and a Trey Flatt three-point play late in regulation sealed Franklin's sixth league win of the year.
 
Inside the Box Score
-The Grizzlies shot 49.2% (29-for-59) from the field and were led by 16 points off the bench from sophomore Ryan Bostic.
-Lynn King notched his fourth double-double of the year with 15 points and 13 rebounds and handed out a team-high five assists.
-Flatt chipped in with 13 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
-Rebounds were 37-27 in Franklin's favor.
-The Grizzlies dominated the game in the paint, out-scoring the Lions 42-26.
 
Up Next
Franklin begins round two of conference play on Saturday (Jan. 21) afternoon, hosting the Defiance Yellow Jackets at 3:00 p.m. in the Spurlock Center.