TERRE HUATE, Ind. – The Franklin women's basketball team hit the road for a mid-week showdown with the Rose-Hulman Engineers on Wednesday (Jan. 29) night, with Franklin in search of a season sweep of their conference rival.
 
The Grizzlies (13-6, 7-5 HCAC) raced out to a lead through 10 minutes of play but saw their lead evaporate as they struggled to knock down shots for the rest of the night. The Engineers (9-10, 6-6 HCAC) would capitalize on the Grizzlies' struggles from the field, coming back to win 72-57.
 
How it Happened
The first quarter was all Grizzlies, as Franklin shot lights out from everywhere on the floor. A Maddie Barnes three with 6:40 to go in the period made it 12-2 Grizzlies and Franklin would hold their largest lead of the night at 20-4 with 3:40 to play in the opening frame.
 
But the Engineers started to find their rhythm on offense late in the first quarter and the second period saw the hosts out-score Franklin 24-6 and take a 39-32 lead into the break. Franklin went just 2-for-12 from the field and turned the ball over nine times in the second, with Rose going 11-for-20 in the period to close the gap.
 
Franklin stayed within striking distance throughout the third quarter, getting as close as four points before the Engineers stretched their lead out to 56-48 as the quarter drew to a close. The Engineers stretched their lead to double figures early in the fourth quarter and held it there for the rest of the game.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin shot 40.7% (22-for-54) on the night, going 5-for-15 from three and 8-for-15 from the line.
-Barnes topped the Grizzlies with 14 points and was the only Franklin player in double figures.
-Erica Buening and Payton Seay tied for the team lead with five boards.
-Taylor Cooney handed out a team-high five assists.
-Turnovers were 22-15 in the Engineers' favor.
 
Up Next
Franklin welcomes the Earlham Quakers to the Spurlock Center on Saturday (Feb. 1) afternoon for women's basketball alumni day. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.