The victory, FC’s fifth straight triumph at home, improved the Grizzlies to 8-4 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and 16-7 overall, and enabled the Grizzlies to pull to within one game of the league lead as both co-leaders Hanover College and Transylvania University (both 9-3 in the HCAC) stumbled in upset losses this afternoon. Hanover, ranked 11th in the nation, lost at Defiance College (Ohio) 67-61 and Transylvania (23rd in the ratings) fell 82-80 in overtime at home to Manchester College.
Franklin was led by junior center Nick Kane, who scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed a game-best 10 rebounds. Kane got closer to two statistical milestones, increasing his career points total to 978 and his all-time rebounds total to 494. He’ll be going for the 1,000 and 500 marks, respectively, when the Grizzlies host Transylvania on Senior Night on Feb. 16.
Backing Kane were four other Grizzlies scoring points in double figures – sophomore Alan Davidson with 17 points on 7-of-10 field goal shooting, senior Justin Brown with 12 points, senior Nick Scott with 11 and senior Jared Sabelhaus with 10. Freshman Josh Norris added nine points and six assists.
The Grizzlies out-shot the Lions (6-7 HCAC, 12-11 overall) 57 to 45 percent and totaled 17 assists.
Mount St. Joseph was led by Kevin Darthard’s game-high 27 points. Derrick Jones and Robbie Noschang chipped in 16 and 13 points, respectively.