The Franklin College men’s basketball team cut a 15-point second-half deficit to two points, but the late rally fell short in a 71-60 loss to Centre College on Thursday at Spurlock Center.
The Grizzlies (0-3) used a 12-4 run to get within 59-57 with 3:57 left. They connected on three 3-point field goals, including a pair by senior Trae Washington, during the run.
However, Centre (1-1) closed the game on a 12-3 run to secure the victory.
Franklin trailed Centre 41-30 at the half behind 57.7 percent shooting by the Colonels.
Junior Aaron Mann scored a team-high 21 points for the Grizzlies, marking his third consecutive 20-point performance to open the 2015-16 campaign. Washington added 14 points and six assists.
Junior Robbie Prather chipped in 12 points for the Grizzlies.
Centre got 33 points and 11 rebounds from preseason All-American Blake Scinta. The Colonels received votes in the D3hoops.com preseason poll.
Centre outscored Franklin 21-8 at the free-throw line.
Franklin returns to action Nov. 23 against Webber International to begin a two-game Florida trip.
