NORTH MANCHESTER
The Franklin College women’s basketball team overcame a seven-point deficit midway through the second half to pick up a 51-45 overtime win at Manchester University on Wednesday in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action.
Franklin (10-7, 8-3 HCAC) remains tied for second place in the conference standings. The Grizzlies split the season series with the Spartans after Manchester earned a 57-45 win Jan. 7.
The visitors trailed 32-25 after a pair of free throws by Manchester’s Jocelyn Hamilton with 8:03 remaining in regulation.
Franklin began the comeback with four quick points. Senior Nichole Thompson hit two free throws, and sophomore Lauren DeSutter connected on a jumper to trim the margin to three points, 32-29, at the 5:17 mark.
Manchester (9-9, 6-5 HCAC) led 39-33 with 2:25 left following two free throws by Justine Kruger.
Franklin turned up the defense, allowing the Spartans to score only one point the rest of the second half.
A basket by DeSutter trimmed the deficit to four points, 39-35, with 2:14 left. After a free throw by sophomore Mandy Fisher, the Grizzlies connected on two more free throws from freshman Kelsey Smith with 53 seconds left.
The free throws brought Franklin within a 39-38 score.
Manchester split two free throws on its next possession. Thompson connected on two free throws to tie the game at 40-all with 17 seconds left. The Spartans missed a potential game-winning shot to send the contest into overtime.
Franklin took a 45-42 lead with 1:16 left in overtime after a 3-point field goal by freshman Madi Kolthoff. Senior Lindsey Dall gave the Grizzlies a five-point lead, 47-42, with under one minute left. DeSutter made four free throws in the final 31 seconds to secure the road triumph.
