NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Two members of the Franklin women's basketball team turned in career outings on Saturday (Jan. 28) afternoon against the Manchester Spartans.
 
Freshman Jordan Coon set a career high with 26 points and junior CiCi Bailey pulled down a career best 17 rebounds for the Grizzlies (8-10, 6-6 HCAC). But both had their big days spoiled by the Spartans (8-10, 6-7 HCAC), as Manchester held on for a 68-67 win.
 
How it Happened
Franklin got off to a fast start with a 10-2 run to open the game and led by as many as 13 in the opening period. The Grizzlies went 8-for-13 from the floor and knocked down five threes in the first 10 minutes to take a 25-15 lead into the second. Quarter two saw the script get flipped in the Spartans' favor, with the home side clawing back to tie the game late in the half before a late jumper from Lauryn Bates sent Franklin into the locker room with a 37-35 lead.
 
The final 20 minutes were a battle from the start, with the third quarter producing three ties and pair of lead changes as Franklin headed into the final quarter with a 53-49 lead. Franklin led by as many as six in the final period but a late surge from the Spartans put the hosts in front by a point with 1:36 to go. Neither team found a bucket from that point on, as Franklin's final three possessions didn't generate the go-ahead bucket.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Coon set a single-game high scoring mark for all players this year and is the second Grizzly to record a 20-point game this season, joining Sarah O'Day. The Evansville, Ind.-native went 8-for-16 from the floor and 4-for-8 from three while knocking down all six of her free throws. She also set a career-high with six assists in the game.
-Coon's 26 points are the most in a game by a Franklin player since Destinee Cross' 27 against Hanover on Jan. 13, 2022.
-Bailey's 17-rebound performance is the most in a game by any FC player since Bayleigh Walker grabbed 19 against Hanover on Dec. 2, 2017.
-Franklin shot 38.3% (23-for-60) from the floor and 10-for-20 from three.
-Rebounds were 43-34 in the Grizzlies' favor.
-Manchester's bench played a vital role in the win, out-scoring Franklin's bench 38-17.
 
Up Next
Franklin is back at home on Wednesday (Feb. 1) night, opening the final month of the regular season against No. 2-ranked Transylvania. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 7:00 p.m.