NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Franklin women's basketball team faced their first conference road test of the season on Saturday (Dec. 16) afternoon, taking on the Manchester Spartans.
 
Trailing after one period, the Grizzlies (6-2, 3-1 HCAC) dominated quarter two and out-scored the Spartans (3-6, 0-4 HCAC) 30-9 to open up a massive lead that paved the way to a 78-58 final score. Franklin had four players finish the game in double figures and held the Spartans to under 30% shooting from the field.
 
How it Happened
Early shooting struggles put Franklin in a 13-6 hold with 6:30 gone, but the Grizzlies responded before the period ended to get the Manchester lead down to 16-12 when the quarter ended. Franklin put the game out of reach with a 13-0 run to open he second quarter, starting off a dominant second period that sent the guests into the break leading 42-25.
 
The Grizzlies controlled the second half, stretching the lead to a game-high 25 points early in the fourth quarter. Franklin's defense caused problems for the Spartans all afternoon, with Manchester shooting just 29.1% (16-for-55) from the floor and 26.3% from three.
 
Inside the Box Score
-The Grizzlies shot 46.8% (29-for-62) from the field, going 5-for-20 from three and 15-for-20 from the line.
-Lauryn Bates topped the Grizzlies with 16 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
-Maddie Barnes added 12 points and grabbed six boards.
-Lauren Barker and Payton Seay each put up 10 points for a Franklin bench that racked up 48 points.
-Franklin dominated the game inside, out-scoring the Spartans 40-14 in the paint.
 
Up Next
Franklin hosts UC-Clermont on Tuesday (Dec. 19) night in their final game before the holiday break. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 6:00 p.m.