By: Jonah Decker, Athletic Communications Intern

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin College women's basketball team claimed a critical win in their final regular season game, knocking off the Manchester Spartans by a 62-56 count.
         
After getting off to a hot start the Grizzlies (15-10) withstood a late push from the Spartans (8-16, 5-13 HCAC) to snap a four-game skid and take some much-needed momentum heading into post-season play this weekend.
         
How it Happend
The first quarter was Grizzly domination. Franklin raced out to a 23-7 lead, frustrating the Spartan offense into nine turnovers and just 1-9 from the field in the opening 10 minutes. Roles reversed in the second quarter, with Manchester rattling off a 17-3 run to start the period. Franklin went cold offensively, shooting 2-17 from the field in the second period and held a slim 30-28 lead at the break.
 
Franklin stretched their lead back to double figures at 43-33 with 5:43 to go in the third quarter, but managed just two points the rest of the period as Manchester cut the Grizzlies' lead to 45-41 with 10 minutes to play.
 
During the fourth quarter the Grizzlies maintained the lead until the very end, keeping the Spartans at arm's length at every turn. The Grizzlies sealed the win at the line, wit Maddie Barnes and Briley Munchel knocking down clutch free throws in the final 19 seconds to seal the win.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Taylor Cooney led all players with 22 points, going 9-for-14 from the floor.
-Jordan Coon, fresh off reaching the 1,000-point milestone, finished with 11 points.
-Both teams finished with 45 rebounds, with Payton Seay's nine boards leading the Grizzlies.
-Franklin's defense frustrated the Spartans all night, holding Manchester to 29% (18-for-62) from the field.
-Free throw shooting proved critical, with the Grizzlies going 18-for-22 from the line.
 
Up Next
Post-season play gets underway on Saturday (Feb. 22) afternoon, with Franklin securing the five-seed and heading to play fourth-seeded Anderson. Tip-off from Anderson is set for 5:00 p.m.