LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Franklin women's basketball team faced off with conference-leading Transylvania on Wednesday (Jan. 15) night in the first of two matchups between the two league rivals this season.
 
The Grizzlies (11-4, 5-3 HCAC) struggled to get into a rhythm offensively, connecting on 30% (15-for-50) of their shots on the night. That allowed the Pioneers (10-5, 7-1 HCAC) to pull away down the stretch and win by a 67-47 score.
 
How it Happened
Buckets were tough to come by for both sides in the opening quarter, with the Pioneers taking a 14-9 lead after 10 minutes of action. Back-to-back threes from Maddie Barnes and Brooke Grinstead opened the second period and gave Franklin their first lead of the game, but Transylvania responded and took a 29-23 lead into the half.
 
The Grizzlies stayed within striking distance throughout the third quarter but were done in by recording just one field goal over the final six minutes of the period. With the Pioneers' lead growing to double figures by the end of the third, the hosts kept the pressure on over the final 10 minutes.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Erica Buening led Franklin with nine points and grabbed five boards on the night.
-Payton Seay chipped in with eight points off the bench.
-Barnes led all players with eight boards.
-The Pioneers finished with a 34-29 edge in the rebounding battle.
-Franklin's bench out-scored the Transylvania reserves, 22-18.
 
Up Next
Franklin is at home for each of their next two games, starting with a Saturday (Jan. 18) afternoon matchup against the Rose-Hulman Engineers. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 1:00 p.m.