Franklin Edges (RV) Ravens in HCAC Championship

The second-seeded Franklin College Grizzlies (21-7) mounted a strong second-half surge to battle past Anderson University (22-6), securing a 72-66 victory in the HCAC Championship at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium on Saturday.

Anderson entered Saturday's game, receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com poll.

Anderson started the game strong, establishing a nine-point lead early in the first half, fueled by a 9-0 scoring run at 17:25, to take an 11-2 lead. The Grizzlies responded with an 11-2 in the next three minutes to tie the game at 13. Each time the Ravens tried to pull away, the Grizzlies responded until a late 6-0 run put the Ravens up 39-32 into halftime, with Bryce Williams and Tate Ivanyo leading the charge.

Franklin made all the right adjustments, opening the half on a 15-4 in the first six minutes. The half continued going back and forth, with both teams holding slight leads for brief periods of time. Franklin went on a 9-2 run to take a 65-59 lead with one minute and 37 seconds remaining.

Two free throws by Rob Davidson and a driving layup by Bryce Williams brought the game back within two. The Grizzlies extended their lead back to five with three free throws, which Rob Davidson responded with a 3-pointer with five seconds remaining. The game was sealed when Cody Samples and Lynn King each hit both of their free throws to take a 72-66 lead.

The Championship game featured nine lead changes and eight ties. 

The Grizzlies shot 39.7 percent (23-of-58) from the field, while allowing the Ravens to hit 33.3 percent (20-of-60).

Franklin outshot Anderson from three, hitting 10-of-37 (27.0 percent) compared to Anderson's 5-of-25 (20.0 percent).

The Grizzlies took advantage of their charity stripe trips, hitting 16-of-18 (88.9 percent), to the Ravens' 21-of-27 (77.8 percent).

The second-half shooting was pivotal; Franklin went 14-of-30 (46.7 percent) from the field and 4-of-16 (25 percent) from three. At the same time, Anderson shot 8-of-28 (28.6 percent) and 1-of-13 (7.7 percent) from beyond the arc.

Tate Ivanyo and Bryce Williams were named to the HCAC All-Tournament Team. 

The Ravens wait to see whether or not they will receive a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Show will take place on Monday at 12:00 p.m.