LOUSIVILLE, Ky. – A dominant second half display powered the Franklin women's basketball team to victory on Wednesday (Nov. 15) night, giving the Grizzlies back-to-back wins to open a season for the first time since 2014-15.
 
Junior Maddie Barnes netted a game and career-high 20 points for Franklin (2-0) and the Grizzlies outscored Spalding (2-1) 51-28 over the final 20 minutes to come away with an 87-61 win.
 
How it Happened
Franklin kicked off the game with a 9-2 run but the Golden Eagles were able to dig out of the early hole and cut the deficit to 21-19 after one quarter. Franklin extended their lead to double figures for the first time late in the first half before a 7-0 Spalding run closed out the opening period and made it 36-33 at the break.
 
With the game still at a one-possession contest, Franklin blew things wide open over the final 6:12 of the third quarter. The Grizzlies closed out the period on a 20-4 run to turn a three-point lead into a 62-43 lead with 10 minutes to play, with Barnes scoring 15 of her points in the third quarter alone. The Eagles wouldn't come within 16 points of their guests for the rest of the night.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin shot 48.5% (32-66) from the floor, knocking down eight threes and going 15-for-20 from the free throw line.
-Freshman Lauren Barker played a season-high 24 minutes and chipped in with 11 points coming off the bench.
-Franklin dominated on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 49-26 with CiCi Bailey's eight board leading the team.
-The Grizzlies cashed in for 30 points off of 20 Spalding turnovers.
-Franklin's reserves chipped in for 44 points in the game.
 
Up Next
The Grizzlies are back in action next Tuesday (Nov. 21), traveling to Michigan for a meeting with the Albion Britons. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.