NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Franklin women's basketball team faced their first road test of the year on Wednesday (Nov. 20) night, taking on the Saint Mary's Belles.
 
The Grizzlies (2-1) recovered from a 20-point halftime deficit to take the lead in the final seconds of the game. But the Belles (3-2) would come away winners on a buzzer-beater to finish off a 75-74 win for the home side.
 
How it Happened
The Belles ripped off nine straight points to open the game, kicking off an opening half that saw the home side shoot 64% (16-for-25) from the floor with five triples. At the other end of the floor, Franklin was plagued by turnovers, keeping the offense from getting going and putting the Grizzlies in a 44-24 hole at the break.
 
The Grizzlies took better care of the ball coming out of the break, but would still enter the fourth quarter down 64-50. But the Grizzlies ripped off a 15-1 run to start the fourth quarter, taking their first lead of the night with two Taylor Cooney free throws that made it 65-64 with 6:12 to play.
 
Saint Mary's took the lead back with less than a minute to play but a layup from Briley Munchel put the Grizzlies back in front 74-73 with five seconds to go. But the Belles would get the winner after a rebound and layup off a missed shot just before the final horn.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin shot 42.4% (28-for-66) from the floor, knocking down six threes and going 12-for-15 from the line.
-Jordan Coon led the Grizzlies with 16 points and four steals.
-Cooney finished with 15 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
-Both Munchel (14 points) and Erica Buening (13 points) also finished the night in double figures.
-Franklin finished with a 37-36 edge in the rebounding battle.
 
Up Next
Franklin heads to Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday (Nov. 22) for night one of the Lauren Hill Classic, hosted by Mount St. Joseph. The Grizzlies will take on Asbury University, with the opening tip set for 7:00 p.m.