DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Franklin men's basketball team ran their winning streak to four games, getting a career afternoon from Jessie Morgan in an 81-74 victory over Defiance.
 
Morgan went off for a career-high 28 points, grabbed eight boards and swatted two shots as Franklin (8-7, 6-2 HCAC) battled back from a deficit as large as 14 to beat the Yellow Jackets (1-13, 0-8 HCAC).
 
Franklin struggled shooting the ball in the opening half, connecting on just 29.7% (11-for-37) of their attempts and 2-for-15 from three with Defiance taking a 34-28 lead into the break. The shooting numbers improved in the second half as Franklin went 16-for-27 and 6-for-11 from three and Franklin took the lead for good with 2:25 to go thanks to a Cody Samples jumper.
 
Franklin's defense clamped down on Defiance down the stretch, keeping the hosts to just two points over the final five minutes of play as they closed the game on a 12-2 run.
 
Samples and Ryan Bostic joined Morgan in double figures with 12 points each. Samples led the Grizzlies with five assists and grabbed five boards in the game.
 
Rebounds were 36-33 in Franklin's favor and the Grizzlies went 19-for-23 at the line.
 
The Grizllies return to action at home on Wednesday (Jan. 17) night, hosting the Hanover Panthers. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.