FRANKLIN – The Spurlock Center played host to post-season hoops for the first time in three years on Sunday (Feb. 18), with the fourth-seeded Franklin women's basketball team taking on fifth-seeded Rose-Hulman in the quarterfinals of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament.
 
The Grizzlies (17-9) rallied late in the game to pick up their first post-season win since 2020, holding off the Engineers (12-14) 73-69 to move on to the semifinals.
 
Jordan Coon set a career-high with 32 points and a huge three from Brooke Grinstead in the final minute helped complete the comeback for the home side.
 
How it Happened
Early on, the Engineers gained the upper hand with a 7-0 run to take a 16-9 lead with four minutes to go in the opening period. A quick-strike offense from the Grizzlies helped get Franklin back in front, with a three from Coon at the buzzer making it 22-21 Franklin after 10 minutes. Franklin stretched their lead to as many as six in the second period, but the Engineers kept things close and the two teams headed into the break with Franklin leading 37-34.
 
Down by five entering the fourth quarter, the Engineers appeared to take control midway through the fourth quarter and Rose held a 67-62 lead with two minutes to play. Threes from Lauren Barker and Grinstead cut the Rose lead to 69-68, and Franklin held possession still down a point with under 40 seconds to play.
 
The go-ahead bucket came courtesy of pure effort. Payton Seay had a go-ahead layup blocked, but she fought to get the rebound and find a streaking Grinstead in the left corner. The junior guard put up a contested triple that found the bottom of the net, putting Franklin back in front.
 
The win was sealed on the next possession, as a Rose layup rimmed out and senior CiCi Bailey, playing in the final home game of her career, wrestled the rebound away and stole possession. Coon iced the game with two free throws, capping a dramatic afternoon in the Spurlock Center.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Coon went 11-for-17 from the floor, 4-for-6 from three and 6-for-7 from the line while also recording four steals.
-Grinstead potted 11 points and handed out a team-high five assists.
-Franklin went 44.1% (26-for-59) from the field, knocking down eight threes and going a sparkling 13-for-14 from the line.
-Rebounds were 36-33 in Franklin's favor, with Seay grabbing a team-high seven boards.
 
Up Next
The Grizzlies will travel to Lexington, Ky. for the HCAC semifinals, which are set for next Friday (Feb. 23) evening. Franklin will play the hosts and defending HCAC champion Transylvania at 5:00 p.m.