By: Jonah Decker, Athletic Communications Intern

FRANKLIN Ind. -  The Franklin men's basketball team tipped off a four-game homestand on Wednesday (Jan. 29) night, taking on the Rose-Hulman Engineers.
 
After taking a lead into the half, Franklin (13-6, 9-3 HCAC) struggled through a seven-minute stretch in the second half where they managed just three field goals. That allowed the Engineers (12-7, 9-3 HCAC) to pounce and grab a lead they would hold down the stretch in a 63-61 Rose victory.
 
How it Happened
An evenly-contested first half saw eight lead changes and three ties, with a late Franklin surge giving the home side a 35-29 lead at the break. Franklin forced eight turnovers while only giving it away twice and shot 56% (14-for-25) from the field, but the Engineers stayed in the game by going 7-10 from three-point land in the opening half.
 
The Grizzlies held a 37-35 lead with 15:11 to go, but would manage just a pair of buckets from Jessie Morgan III and a layup from Cody Samples over the next seven minutes, allowing Rose-Hulman to take a 51-43 lead with 7:50 to play.
 
Franklin charged back to get within 56-52 thanks to a Braden Flanagan triple with 2:41 to play and a Morgan layup with 45 seconds left cut Rose's lead to 60-59. But the Engineers would answer with a bucket after Morgan's layup and would seal the win at the line after Franklin's bid to draw even fell short.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Franklin shot 42.8% (23-for-54) on the night while holding Rose to 42.6% (20-for-47) from the floor.
• Long-range shooting proved key as Rose went 10-for-18 from deep to 5-for-18 for the home side.
• Morgan led all players with 17 points.
• Samples added 15 points and Flanagan chipped in with 12 points to give Franklin three double-digit scorers.
• Franklin forced 13 turnovers while only giving up 7.
• Rose-Hulman out-rebounded Franklin 37-28, with Cooper Matthews' six boards leading the home side.

Up Next
The Grizzlies continue their homestand on Saturday (Feb. 1) afternoon, hosting the Earlham Quakers as part of a hoops double-header. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.