Getting out to good starts hasn't necessarily been a problem for Franklin women's basketball thus far this season. The trick for the Grizzlies has been maintaining that same energy through the middle periods.
John Carroll erased an early Franklin lead by dominating the second and third periods on its way to a 95-72 win over the Griz in the opening game of the Briton Battle at Albion.
Molly Schulte notched a pair of buckets in the early going to help the Grizzlies (0-3) out to an early 8-0 lead. John Carroll came back to tie it at 12-12, but Franklin rebuilt an eight-point cushion by ending the quarter with consecutive baskets by Schulte,
Cameryn Ridderikhoff and
Sophia Saucerman.
The momentum shifted quickly in the second quarter, however. The Blue Streaks hit three 3-pointers in the first 3:03 of the period to take the lead and continue what became a 15-0 run that made it 34-23. John Carroll scored 63 points in the two middle periods to put the game out of reach.
Overall shooting percentages were pretty similar on the night — Franklin's 43.9% actually topped John Carroll's 42.3% — but the Blue Streaks were 14 of 40 from 3-point range while the Grizzlies were just 2 of 9 behind the arc.
Schulte led Franklin in a losing effort with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. Saucerman finished with 14 points,
Briley Munchel 10 and Ridderikhoff nine.
The Grizzlies will face Hiram in a consolation game Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.).
"We've had solid starts so far this season but need to put everything together," Franklin coach
Ashley Blanch said. "I'm excited to have another opportunity tomorrow."
