Franklin Hands Defiance Men First Conference Loss
January 17, 2008
GREENWOOD , IN – Despite a loss at home Wednesday night to Franklin, Defiance remains at the top of the conference standings as the conference season will hit its midway point this week. The Grizzlies (9-6, 3-3 HCAC) have been hot as of late, earning wins in six of their past seven games to climb back into contention to defend their title from a year ago. Hanover, Transylvania, and Bluffton all sit within a game of leader Defiance. FC will have two more chances to make a move up the standings this week as the Grizzlies tangle with Bluffton and Hanover.
Franklin began the week with a 95-77 win at home over Anderson and concluded the week with a 76-66 win at previously unblemished Defiance. Senior forward Marty Young (Norman, Ind./Brownstown Central) scored 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win over AU to earn Player of the Week honors. Young ranks first in the HCAC with a 65.2% shooting percentage and stands third in scoring (15.5 ppg) and second in rebounding (7.4 rpg). Junior guard Dustin Marshall (Lexington, Ind./Scottsburg) led the Franklin effort with 17 points in the win over the Yellow Jackets. As a team, FC ranks first in the conference in three-point field goal percentage (40.4%).
Defiance (10-5, 5-1 HCAC) saw their four game win streak come to an end Wednesday night at home to Franklin. The Yellow Jackets started the week with a 98-65 road win against Transylvania before the 76-66 loss to the Grizzlies. Senior guard C.J. Johnson (Toledo, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) scored 33 points in the win over Transy and also led the team with 19 points in the loss to Franklin. Johnson is the conference’s leading scorer with 19.0 points per game this season. The Jackets lead the HCAC in scoring margin (+10.1 ppg) and three-point field goal percentage defense (29.6%). DC will look to bounce back this week as they travel to Anderson Saturday afternoon. The purple and gold return home on January 23 to play host to Manchester.
Bluffton (11-5, 5-2 HCAC) had a strong week, pulling out victories over Hanover and Mount St. Joseph. The Beavers knocked off the Panthers on the road 80-70 and squeaked by Mount St. Joseph 73-71 last night. BU has won three straight and five of their past six to climb into the second spot of the standings. Sophomore guard Zach Kraus (Findlay, Ohio/H.S.) scored 18 points to lead the Beavers victory over Hanover. Junior forward Nick Wilson (Payne, Ohio/Continental) posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds against the Lions. As a team, Bluffton leads the nation in free throw percentage (80.2%) and ranks first in the HCAC in rebounding (36.8 rpg) and blocks (41). BU will face red-hot Franklin at home Saturday in their lone game of the week.
Transylvania (8-6, 4-2 HCAC) was riding a three game win streak coming into last week, but finished the week with two losses. The Pioneers fell at home to Defiance 98-65 and to Hanover 88-80. Junior guard Aaron Cash (Brodhead, Ky./Rockcastle Co.) scored 11 points to lead the way in the loss to DC and sophomore forward Blake McCowan (West Liberty, Ky./Morgan Co.) scored 19 points in the loss to the Panthers. Transy has connected on 9.57 three-point field goals per game this season to lead the conference. The Pioneers will look to get back into the winning column against Thomas More Saturday afternoon before returning to conference play on January 23 at Mount St. Joseph.
Hanover (8-7, 4-2 HCAC) split a pair of conference games last week and has won two of their last three. The Panthers fell at home to Bluffton 80-70 and earned a big road win at Transylvania 88-80. Senior center Robby Brown (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mariemont) contributed a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to Bluffton. Brown added 17 points in the win over Transy. The senior center leads the conference with 8.5 rebounds per game this season. HC will play host to Rose-Hulman Saturday afternoon before a trip to rival Franklin Wednesday.
Anderson (7-9, 3-4 HCAC) continues to hold the sixth and final spot in the race for the conference tournament. The Ravens began the week with a 95-77 loss at Franklin. Junior guard Mike Russell (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) scored 18 points against the Grizzlies to raise his season average to 14.9 points per game. Sophomore guard Ryan Fultz (Knightstown, Ind./H.S.) scored 17 points to lead the Ravens in a 76-70 win over Manchester. The win snapped a three game losing streak for AU. As a team, Anderson leads the conference in scoring offense (80.4 ppg) and steals (179). The Ravens will look to stay hot at home this week when Defiance and Rose-Hulman come to town. AU holds a 5-2 record at home this season
Rose-Hulman (6-9, 2-4 HCAC) added two more wins to the win column this past week. The Engineers knocked off Manchester 64-57 on the road before a home non-conference win over Robert Morris-Springfield. Freshman center Michael Kelly (Ft. Myers, Fla./H.S.) scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win over Manchester. Freshman forward Daniel Lowers (Gosport, Ind./ Edgewood) scored a game-high 22 points in a 70-66 overtime win over Robert Morris-Springfield. As a team, Rose leads the conference in scoring defense (61.0 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (44.1%). RHIT will travel to Hanover and Anderson this week.
Mount St. Joseph (7-8, 1-5 HCAC) fell in its only game of the week, dropping a 73-71 decision at Bluffton. The Lions were led by senior forward Michael Eirons (Huron, Ohio/H.S.) who scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the loss to the Beavers. Eirons ranks second on the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game. The Mount currently leads the conference in shooting percentage, converting 50.8% of their attempts from the field. The Lions hold a 6-1 mark at home this season and will welcome Manchester and Transylvania to Cincinnati this week.
Manchester (3-12, 1-5 HCAC) lost two games over the week to run its losing streak to eight in a row. The Spartans lost at home to Rose-Hulman 64-57 before a 76-70 road loss at Anderson. Senior guard Jamaal Wade (Indianapolis, Ind./Chatard) scored 23 points against the Engineers to raise his season average to 14.6 points per game. Freshman Mitch Schaefer (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Carroll) added 19 points in the loss to Anderson. The black and gold will look for their first road win of the season as they travel to Mount St. Joseph and Defiance this week.
Men’s Basketball Schedule (Jan. 17-Jan. 23)
Jan. 19 |
Defiance at Anderson |
3:00 PM |
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Rose-Hulman at Hanover |
3:00 PM |
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Manchester at Mount St. Joseph |
3:00 PM |
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Franklin at Bluffton |
3:00 PM |
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Transylvania at Thomas More |
3:00 PM |
|
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Jan. 23 |
Rose-Hulman at Anderson |
7:30 PM |
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Manchester at Defiance |
7:30 PM |
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Transylvania at Mount St. Joseph |
7:30 PM |
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Hanover at Franklin |
7:30 PM |