Franklin, Ind.—The Mount St. Joseph University Men's Basketball program took to the road, traveling to Franklin, Indiana. This would be a rematch of a previous battle between the two teams, in which the Grizzlies came out on top by a final score of 76-72. This game would be no different between the evenly matched clubs, with the Lions falling short 71-69.
The Lions struck first early in the game, as senior Devin Young found his was to the rim for a layup. Both teams would continue to trade scores, continuing to the 10 minute mark, when the Lions found themselves trail 20-17. At this mark freshman Spencer Kinnett would finish a layup at the rim, to pull the score within one. The Mount would make a stop on the other end of the floor that would allow Dayne Gardner to find Alex Totton for a deep-ball. Another Franklin miss would allow the Lions to extend their lead once again as Evan Wiehe feed Kinnett for a lay-up.
Following a media timeout at the 7:52 mark, a pair of Young free-throws extended the Lions lead to 27-21. A made three-pointer by Jack Kolar and a Brady Thomas layup would see the team open a 32-25 lead. Franklin would storm back in the closing moment of the first, tying the game at 36-36 with two minutes of action left in the first. The Grizzlies would score twice in this time frame but the hot hand of Young was able to finish an old-fashioned three-point play and knock down a jump-shot as time expired to send the team into the break 41-40.
It would be Franklin who strike first to begin the second half, hitting a deep ball to creep ahead 43-41. This would spring a back and fourth by the teams once again, both in a struggle to take control of the game. A Franklin layup 10 minutes into the half would finally see them gain separation, as they would force a stop on the next Mount possession to set up a three-ball. After this quick series of scoring the Grizzles held a 61-57 lead.
Under eight minutes remaining the Lions were able to even the game at 65. It was David Luers who would sink a three-pointer and then find Kolar for a three on the next possession. After a stretch of stops by both defenses Luers would come up with a steal to spring a fast-break, capping it off with a layup. A Franklin jump-shot a few moments later would tie the game again, this time at 68. Thomas would step to the line, sink a free-throw to push the Lions lead to 69-68. Several possessions later a three-pointer by the Grizzlies would give them a 71-69 lead.
In this nail-bitter the Lions were led by their four seniors, who all registered double digit scoring outputs. Young turned in another double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while dishing out 6 assists. Thomas would register 11 total points on the evening. The pair of Tanner Clos and Luers would each score 10 points.
With this game behind the Lions, they look forward to their final home game of the season. This game will see the Mount host the Panthers of Hanover College on Friday, February 18. Tip-off for this game is set for 7:30PM. For continued coverage of this upcoming game and all other MSJ Athletics, continue to follow msjlions.com
