Box Score Franklin, Ind. – The Mount St. Joseph women's basketball team traveled over to Franklin College to take on the Grizzlies in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup. The Lions entered the game with a 3-10 overall record and a 2-4 HCAC record while the Grizzlies came in with an 8-4 overall and a 4-2 HCAC.
Both sides would get a solid offense going as throughout the whole game things would be close. By the end of the game one team would come out on top by a slim margin.
The Grizzlies would get the game started in the first quarter with a three to take the early lead. Over a three-minute period they would build their score up and record six unanswered points over the Lions. The Grizzlies led 9-0 with 6:53 left in the quarter. Junior Maddie Haberthy (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy) opened up the scoring for the Lions with a basket to make the score 9-2 at 6:36. A back and forth offensive attack from both teams would make the score 11-7 in favor of the Grizzlies as Chloe Jansen (Fort Thomas. Ky./Highlands) recorded a three and followed with a layup after the Grizzlies made a basket. Kamryn McCool (Brookville, Ind./Franklin County) brought the score within three as she made a three pointer with 4:55 left in the quarter. The Lions would then be down by one with two free throws made by Chloe Jansen. At 2:12 the Lions would tie the game up for the first time at 16-16 with two free throws made by Kamryn McCool. The Grizzlies wouldn't allow the Lions to take the lead though as by the end of the quarter they would hold a four-point lead over the Lions at 25-21.
A jump shot by the Grizzlies followed by a three from Maggie Schoolfield (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) opened up the scoring in the second quarter. A three by Haley Scott (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hill) tied the game up 29-29 with 6:23 left in the quarter. At 5:29 MacKenzie Marcum (Mason, Ohio/Kings) made two free throws to give the Lions the lead for the first time in the game. The Lions were able to hold on to their lead for over three minutes before the Grizzlies made a three to take in back. Aliyah Huff (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) would tie it up immediately with a lay-up. With 31 seconds left the Lions and the Grizzlies were tied up 35-35. The tie would hold going into halftime as both teams looked to come out and take the lead.
It would be a back and forth game in the third quarter. The Grizzlies would take the lead out of halftime with a layup. Maddie Haberthy would then take the lead for the Lions with a three to give the Lions a 38-37 lead at 7:08 on the clock. Back to back threes from two Lions between the 5:48 and 5:27 mark would give them a 46-39 lead. The Grizzlies came within four at 4:03 with a layup. The Lions held a 48-44 lead over them before the Grizzlies would make the score within one with a three. Kamryn McCool answered with a basket to help the Lion keep ahold of their lead as at 2:53 the Lions led 50-47. The Grizzlies would keep getting close to the Lion score but the Lions would prevail to stay ahead as time was beginning to tick down. With 44 seconds left in the third the Lions were unable to hold on to their lead anymore as the Grizzlies made a basket to make the score 54-54 heading into the fourth and final quarter.
Maddie Haberthy opened up the fourth quarter with a three for the Lions, but the Grizzlies immediately answered with a three of their own to tie it at 57-57. The Grizzlies would take the lead for the first time since early in the third quarter before the Lions would immediately take it back. At 8:36 the Lions led by one with the scoreboard read 60-59. The game would continue to go back and forth, with both teams not able to hold onto their leads for very long. A three for the Lions by Maddie Haberthy would finally open the door to give them the steady lead. At 6:01 the Lions led 67-63. The Grizzlies would make a layup as they trailed by two with 5:36 left in the game. The next two and a half minutes saw no scoring from either sides of the bench as neither team was able to capitalize on their opportunities. At the 3:00 minute mark the Grizzlies made the score 67-66 in favor of the Lions. Another three for the Lions built their score back up as the Grizzlies were trying to close the gap. A layup following the Lions three for the Grizzlies would be their last basket at the Lions led 70-68 with 142 left in the game. The Grizzlies would get their chances but the Lions would prove strong. Two sets of free throws for the Lions in the final minute of play would seal their fourth victory of the season as they defeated the Grizzlies 74-68.
Leading the Lions to victory was junior Maddie Haberthy, who recorded her game high for the season with 25 points while also recording four rebounds and three assists. Chloe Jansen continue to be a big help, recording 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one block. Off the bench Kamryn McCool made an impact with 12 points, three rebounds, and one steal.
The Lions will be back in action on Saturday as they are back on the road to take on the Yellow Jackets of Defiance College in an HCAC matchup. The game in set to begin at 1PM as the Lions look to bring their winning streak to three. Continue to check out MSJSports.com for more updates on the rest of the Lions 2019-2020 season!
