Grizzlies win defensive struggle

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By Matt Muncy, December 4, 2009

“You want to get off to the best start in conference,” said head coach Kerry Prather.

The Grizzlies were led by HCAC player of the week sophomore Will Conoley, who scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds. Conoley went 6-14 from the floor and 3-4 from the free throw line, including two with one second remaining to give the Grizzlies a three-point lead.

 

The first half belonged to the Engineers who never trailed and led by 11 at one point in the half. Franklin shot just 24%, 6-25, in the first half while the Engineers shot 46% and led 28-19 at the half.

 

 Franklin charged back and took the lead on a Blake Sutton layup with 12:41 left in the second half. The two teams traded the lead six times and had seven ties in the final 12:41.

 

“You do not want to always play from behind, but learning to play from behind is important for a team to learn,” said Prather. “We did a good job of putting ourselves in a position to win.”

 

Franklin grabbed their final lead with 1:29 left in the game when junior Scott Trueblood made his first free throw of a one-and-one, making the score 55-54.

 

Rose-Hulman’s Jason Haslag missed a jumper with 1:14 left and then missed a three-pointer with 0:04 left in the game.

 

Conoley grabbed the rebound and was fouled, sending him to the line for a one-and-one. Conoley made both free throws; extending Franklins lead to three, 57-54. The Engineers tried to throw the ball full court, but the pass was tipped by Sutton and stolen by Conley to seal the victory.

 

“We played that really smart,” said Prather. “I am really impressed with our young kids because we have some who have really good basketball sense.”

 

The Grizzlies defense held Rose-Hulman to 40.4% shooting, but their offense struggle shooting 40.4% as well. Franklin was 3-12 from behind the arc, all three coming from freshman Gunner Erwin who finished with 13 points.

 

Sophomore Clay Starrett went 1-12 from the field including 0-5 from behind the arc in only his third game back.

 

“Clay shot the ball poorly, but having him back has made a huge difference,” said Prather. “He is the piece that ties this all together.”

 

Free throws proved crucial and the Grizzlies got it done going 12-15. They finished with a season-low 10 turnovers while holding the Engineers to 13 points off turnovers.

 

Prather was glad his team was improving, but said Rose-Hulman was not a team that causes many turnovers and seven or eight of them were probably not forced.

 

Franklin will travel to Trine University next Monday to play the make-up game from November 18th.