FRANKLIN – Backed by a strong defensive effort and a gritty performance on both ends of the floor, the Franklin women's basketball team claimed victory in their final home appearance of the calendar year.
 
Jordan Coon had a game-high 21 points for the Grizzlies (7-2, 3-1 HCAC) and Franklin's defense held the Lions (6-3, 2-2 HCAC) to 26.8% (22-for-82) shooting on the night as the hosts never trailed an claimed a 72-63 win.
 
How it Happened
Franklin surged out to a 9-2 lead to start the game and would stretch that advantage into double figures by the end of the first quarter, taking a 22-11 lead into the second. While the Lions continued to struggle from the floor, Franklin took advantage and extended their edge to a game-high 20 points at 34-14 with three minutes to go in the first half. A 9-2 Lions run to close out the second cut the Griz lead to 36-23 after 20 minutes.
 
The Lions turned up the pressure on defense in the second half and began to cut into Franklin's lead, slashing the deficit down to 53-43 with a quarter to go. The Mount had the lead down to six at 67-61 with a minute to go, but a Payton Seay layup in traffic restored an eight-point lead with 31 seconds to play and helped seal the win.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin shot 44.4% (28-for-63) from the field, going 13-for-20 from the line.
-Seay joined Coon in double figures with 13 points, as did Erica Buening with 10 points.
-Rebounds were dominated by the Lions, as they finished with 25 offensive boards and a 55-42 overall rebounding advantage. Seay topped Franklin with nine boards, followed by eight from Buening and seven from Coon.
-Franklin held a lead for all but the game's opening eight seconds.
-Maddie Barnes tied with Buening and Taylor Cooney for the team lead with three assists and set a new career-high with three blocks.
-The Grizzlies snapped a four-game slide against the Lions with the win.
-This marks the Grizzlies' best start through nine games since 2015-16, when Franklin won seven of their first nine to open the season.
 
Up Next
The Grizzlies are off until Sunday, Dec. 29 when they travel to Sewanee, Tenn. to play host Sewanee in their home tournament. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.