Women take HCAC crown
Franklin’s come-from-behind 67-62 win over Defiance College at home Saturday clinched the regular-season HCAC Title and a first-round bye in the conference tournament. The Grizzlies face Defiance tonight in a rematch of the season closer in the Spurlock Center at 6 p.m.
"It was such an exciting feeling," senior Heather Harper said. "It was all I could think about the day before.
"The fan support was awesome. We had the most fans ever."
Sophomore Sarah Condra led the Grizzlies with 28 points. Junior Monica Planalp and Harper added 16 and 14, respectively. Condra was named the HCAC player of the week for her efforts.
Four different Yellow Jackets – Shavonda Price, Tasha Stucke, Courtney Schmersal and Mandie White – scored in double digits, led by Price with 16. Price also grabbed a team-leading 13 rebounds. Brooke Zachrich led Defiance in assists with five. But the Yellow Jackets turned the ball over a combined 22 times.
"Overall for us I think it just comes down to how well we play defense because that leads to fast breaks, which is what we are good at since we are a running team" senior Traci Lippold said.
"[Our defense] basically sets the pace of the game for us, which if you saw our last game against Defiance, it took us until second half to find [the] pace that we like," Planalp said.
The Grizzlies finished the regular season tied with Transylvania University, which Franklin beat twice during the regular season.
In the first round of the tournament, Defiance beat Manchester College 83-70 to advance to tonight’s rematch.
Four Yellow Jackets scored in double digits – Price, Stucke, Schmersal and Hannah Firchau – led by Schmersal with 15. Defiance cut its turnover total to 17, but Manchester turned the ball over 27 times.
Franklin takes a 19-6 (13-3 HCAC) record into tonight’s game, while Defiance stands at 17-9 (10-6).
"Defense is basically the key to winning the game," Harper said.
Harper leads the Grizzlies in scoring this season, averaging 15.8 points a game, while Condra has added 15.6. Condra has led the Grizzlies in three-pointers with 58 made this season. Harper pulls in 6.5 rebounds per game, while Condra dishes out 3.3 assists.
"We know if we play to our full potential, no one can stop us" Planalp said.
Three different Yellow Jackets average double-digit scoring, led by White with 14.4 points a game.
Harper credits the Grizzlies’ success this season to teamwork and dedication.
"We work hard every day in practice and help each other, she said.
"It’s been a great season … And a great way to end my senior year."
