Franklin men fall on shot in final seconds

Special to the Daily Journal

Webber International University’s Sam Auguste made a jumper with four seconds left to defeat the visiting Franklin College men’s basketball team 97-95 on Monday.

Five players scored in double figures for the Grizzlies, who finished up their two-game Florida road trip Tuesday night at NCAA Division II Eckerd College.

Junior guard Aaron Mann matched his career high with 28 points. He added 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

Mann has scored 21 or more points in all four of Franklin’s games this season.

Senior Trae Washington chipped in 21 points, including six 3-point field goals.

Franklin trailed 95-89 with 1:06 left before consecutive 3-point field goals by Washington with 47 and nine seconds left for a 95-95 tie before Auguste sank the game-winner.

Junior Robbie Prather scored 19 points and was 5 of 8 from behind the arc for Franklin. Freshman Blake Oakley had a career-high 17 points off the bench. Junior John Beineke rounded out the balanced scoring attack with 10 points.

The teams were tied at 39 at the halftime break. Webber International (4-4) took a 65-59 lead after a basket at the 12:51 mark. The Grizzlies went on a 13-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 72-67 lead with 8:20 left following a layup by Mann.

A 3-point field goal by Oakley gave Franklin a 78-71 lead with 6:39 remaining. Webber International used a 14-5 run to take an 85-82 advantage with four minutes left.

The game featured 18 lead changes and 14 ties.

The Grizzlies shot 52.5 percent in the game and made 16 3-pointers.