By: Jonah Decker, Athletic Communications Intern

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin College women's basketball team welcomed the Transylvania Pioneers to the Spurlock Center on Wednesday (Feb. 12) night, with senior night festivities taking place before the game.
 
The Grizzlies (14-9, 8-8 HCAC) stood their ground against the league-leading Pioneers (17-5, 14-1 HCAC), keeping things close until a third quarter run from the Pioneers sparked a lead that led to a 66-50 Transylvania win.
 
Before the game tipped off, the Grizzly women's basketball program said thank you and honored senior players Maddie Barnes, Brooke Grinstead, Taylor Cooney and Georgia Hanauer, as well as manager Celeste Edwards.
 
How it Happened
Transylvania opened the game with two three-pointers but the two sides would play an even contest the rest of the first half, with both defenses locking in and the Pioneers leading 17-13 after one. Franklin took their first lead of the night with five straight points to open the second quarter and make it 18-17 after a Grinstead three. The Pioneers answered with a 13-4 run to re-claim the lead, but another Grinstead triple late in the first half cut the Pioneer lead to 30-25 at halftime.
 
The second half opened with a 12-4 Transylvania run to stretch the gap between the two sides and pave the way for the Pioneers to take a 53-35 lead at the end of the third quarter. Franklin refused to go away without a fight, getting the lead down to 57-48 with four minutes to go. But Franklin would find just one more bucket the rest of the night and the Pioneers pulled away.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Grinstead led all scorers with 19 points, going 7-for-11 from the floor and knocking down five three-pointers.
-Erica Buening grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
-Franklin shot 35.7% (20-for-56) from the field while holding the Pioneers to 40.6% (26-for-64) from the floor.
-The Pioneers controlled the game on the glass, finishing with a 47-29 rebounding advantage.
-Briley Munchel handed out a game-high five assists.
 
Up Next
Franklin hits the road for their final road game of the season on Saturday (Feb. 15), taking on the Hanover Panthers. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.