BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Franklin men's basketball team turned in a dominant performance on Saturday (Jan. 25) afternoon, blowing out the Bluffton Beavers to get back in the win column.
 
Five players finished the night in double figures, led by 19 points from Jessie Morgan III as Franklin (13-5, 9-2 HCAC) rolled to a 96-61 victory over Bluffton (4-14, 3-8 HCAC) and complete a season sweep of their in-conference rival.
 
How it Happened
The Grizzlies started off fast and wasted no time opening up a double-digit lead, out-scoring Bluffton 19-5 in the opening 5:20. It proved to be the start of an overpowering first half of play from the Grizzlies, as they led by as many as 26 in the opening half before taking a 49-28 lead into the intermission.
 
Franklin continued to pile on the second half and pushed their edge to a game-high 38 points late in the game. The Grizzlies turned in a complete performance at both ends of the floor, shooting better than 50% from the field in each half and limiting the Beavers to under 50% shooting in each half.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin shot 54.5% (36-for-66) from the floor in the game, going 12-for-24 from three and 12-for-16 from the line.
-Defensively, the Griz held Bluffton to 43.9% (25-for-57) shooting an just 3-for-14 from three.
-Cooper Matthews finished with 15 points while leading the Grizzlies with six rebounds and five assists.
-Dylan Beverly and Ryan Bostic each added 11 points and Cody Samples chipped in with 10 points.
-Franklin finished the day with a 36-33 edge on the glass.
-The Grizzlies' six turnovers set a season-low for giveaways.
 
Up Next
Franklin tips off a pivotal four-game homestand on Wednesday (Jan. 29) night, hosting Rose-Hulman. Tip-off from the Spurlock Center is set for 7:30 p.m.