The Franklin College men’s basketball team cut a 20-point second-half deficit into single digits in a 94-85 loss to Transylvania University on Wednesday in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action at Spurlock Center.
The Grizzlies had five players reach double-figures, led by senior Trae Washington with 20 points. The guard recorded a game-high 11 assists and grabbed seven rebounds.
Junior Aaron Mann also had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Freshman Blake Oakley added 13 points, while junior John Beineke scored 11 points. Junior Trey Boles rounded out the balanced offensive attack with 10 points.
Transylvania closed the first half on a 19-11 run during the final seven minutes to take a 50-38 lead following the first 20 minutes. The visitors scored the first seven points of the second half to stretch the margin to 19 points, 57-38, at the 18:32 mark.
Later, a layup by Boles brought Franklin within 11 points, 67-56, with 12:32 left. Transylvania would push the lead back to 20 points on two separate occasions. The Grizzlies attempted a late rally by getting within 10 points, 90-80, after a free throw by Beineke with 1:43 remaining.
A layup by Washington trimmed the deficit to nine points, 91-82, in the final minute.
Franklin returns to action at 3 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Anderson University.
