An equally impressive inside and outside game helped the Franklin College women’s basketball team defeat visiting Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Anderson University, 73-53, on Saturday.
With the win, the Grizzlies (10-5, 5-2) remain in a three-way tie for second-place in the league standings with Rose-Hulman and Transylvania, two games back of conference leader Bluffton.
Franklin dominated the boards, 43-29, with Katie Brewer and Emily Alfrey leading the way with 14 and five rebounds, respectively.
Brewer also reached double-figures by scoring 14 points on 7 of 11 shooting, all coming from inside the paint while Alfrey added 12.
Grizzlies junior guard Kayle Comer knocked down four 3-point shots and finished with a team-high 18 points.
Also in double-figures with 12 points was junior guard Lauren DeSutter.
After the game, second-year coach Dana Hagenjos said the success of this year’s team is based on distributing the ball, which leads to balanced scoring.
“From a complete team standpoint, we don’t have one of those stellar, stand-out kind of player. We are good because of our group and our team,” Hagenjos said.
“That’s what we’ve been striving for in practice and making sure everyone gets equal touches to get shots for other people. We’re really playing team basketball. Our team really relies on our defense, and I thought we had some great performances individually.”
Playing with a short bench because of injuries, Franklin got a nice effort from junior guard Sarah Taylor in her 23 minutes of play with six points and six rebounds.
The Grizzlies led at the end of each quarter, holding a 39-26 advantage at the half. Franklin College outscored Anderson (3-12, 2-6) in the final two stanzas, 34-27.
Leading the way for the Ravens with a team-high 20 points including three 3-pointers was junior guard Blayr Poston. Junior Shelby Shaffer, a graduate of Center Grove High School, added 10 points.
For the game, the Grizzlies shot 53.4 percent from the field, connecting on 31 of 58 while Anderson hit 20 of 58 for 34.5 percent.
Franklin College returns to action against visiting conference rival Hanover College on Wednesday.
