BEREA, Ky. – The Franklin women's basketball team hit the road on Saturday (Dec. 14) afternoon to take on the Berea Mountaineers in the first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) contest between the two sides.
 
The Grizzlies (6-2, 2-1 HCAC) had four players finish the afternoon in double figures and led for nearly the entire game, holding on the best the Mountaineers (3-5, 0-3 HCAC) by an 83-80 score.
 
How it Happened
A busy opening quarter that featured five ties and seven lead changes saw Franklin out-score the Mountaineers 11-5 over the final 4:20, erasing Berea's slim lead and giving the Grizzlies a 26-21 lead after one quarter. The Grizzlies pushed their lead to as many as 12 points in the second period, but Berea would get back within a possession later in the quarter and eventually head into the break with Franklin leading 41-36.
 
The Grizzlies maintained their lead until the 5:07 mark in the third quarter when two Berea free throws tied the game up at 52. That ended up being the final time the score was knotted up, as Franklin restored a double-digit lead before the third quarter came to a close.
 
Franklin led by 10 with three minutes to play, but the Mountaineers charged back to within three with 11 seconds to go and the ball. But no game-winning attempt would get off, as Franklin's defense forced a turnover in the dying seconds to preserve the win.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin shot 42.3% (30-for-71) from the field, knocking down seven three-pointers on the day.
-Defensively, the Grizzlies locked down Berea shooters and held the hosts to 32.3% (21-for-65) from the floor, with Berea's 32 free throws key to keeping the game close.
-Brooke Grinstead finished with a game-high 21 points off the bench, knocking down six three-pointers on the night.
-Jordan Coon put up the first double-double of her career with 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds while handing out six assists.
-Taylor Cooney and Erica Buening also finished in double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
-Rebounds were 56-41 in Franklin's favor.
-Franklin dominated the game down low, out-scoring Berea 44-24.
 
Up Next
The Grizzlies make their final appearance in the Spurlock Center on Tuesday (Dec. 17) night, when they host the Mount St. Joseph Lions. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.