FRANKLIN, Ind. – On Tuesday your Mount St. Joseph Women's basketball team traveled on the road to take on the Grizzlies of Franklin College. With a victory, the Lions would lock up home court advantage in the first round of the HCAC tournament. After being tied at the half, the Lions would pull away in the third quarter which would be enough to hold off Franklin and earn a 62-54 victory.
Quarter number one began with the Lions jumping out to the early 4-0 lead after
Anyiah Murphy and
Chloe Jansen both converted on fast break layups. Jansen would be the catalyst for the Lions scoring the next 5 points and giving the Mount a one point lead In a quarter where the lead traded sides five times in the first ten minutes. With two minutes remaining and the Lions behind by a point,
Madison Drummonds would knock down a hook shot layup followed by a pair of free throws from Murphy to extend the lead to three.
Shelby Turner would end the period with more momentum for the Mount as she hit a jumper with two seconds remaining to bring the score at the end of one to 15-10 in favor of the Lions. The Lions defense was also stellar in the quarter as they only allowed Franklin to score two points in the final 5 minutes and 32 seconds.
In the second quarter, Franklin would strike first but
Karlee Mills quickly drove down the lane before getting fouled and knocking down the pair at the strike to go up six. The Grizzlies would then knot the game up at 18 after a 7-1 run as the teams went to the media timeout. Out of the break, coach Elston drew up a great play which resulted in a Mills wide open three in which she would make to put the Lions back on top. Franklin would then catch fire down the stretch of the quarter as they would tie the game at 27 heading into the break.
The third quarter would be the best offensive output for the Lions on the night and ultimately being the difference in them winning the basketball game. The Lions would hit 2 three-point jump shots while shooting a very respectable 8 of 10 from the free throw line.
Karlee Mills started the period scoring the first 8 points while Freshman
Morgan Jenkins extended the Mount lead to six after going 4 of 4 from the charity stipe. The final 8 points of the quarter were converted free throws for the Lions as they took a 45-37 lead heading into the final ten minutes.
For the first time all night, the Lions were able to grow the lead to double digits.
Shelby Turner scored the first basket of the final period by way of a three point jumper assisted by Jansen.
Morgan Jenkins then stole the ball away from the Grizzlies and laid it in on the other end to build the lead to 13 with 8 minutes remaining. Franklin would not quit as they went on a run to cut the Mount's lead to just four with three minutes remaining. The Mount would then rely on their leaders in Jansen, Jenkins and
Madison Drummonds as Jansen hit a free throw which was quickly followed by Drummonds creating a steal and finding Jenkins in the corner for a three to put the Mount back up by 8.
Carlee Daulton would then ice the game as she knocked down her 4
th and 5
th free throw of the night to give the Lions a 62-54 victory over HCAC rival Franklin.
The Lions were led by
Karlee Mills who poured in a team high 13 point.
Chloe Jansen and
Morgan Jenkins each added 11 points of their own. Jansen also added 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jenkins also was a leader on the defensive end collecting 6 rebounds and causing 4 steals.
Up next is the regular season finale for the Lions which is a matchup with Hanover College at the Harrington Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7PM. The Lions will also be recognizing their Seniors prior to the matchup.
