King posts second double-double of season in loss against Franklin

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Defiance sophomore Zadria King posted her second double-double of the season (second of career), but the visiting Franklin College Grizzlies shot the lights out in the first half and rolled to a 76-48 win over the Yellow Jackets Saturday afternoon at the Karl H. Weaner Center.

With the win, Franklin improves to 10-5 overall and 5-3 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Yellow Jackets drop to 0-15 overall and 0-8 in conference play.

TURNING POINT

The Grizzlies shot 50% from the floor in the second quarter and took their first double digit lead of the game with 7:56 remaining in the first half. The lead came from an extended run that ended in the first quarter and continued through the first 2:04 of the second quarter. After scoring 21 in the first quarter, the Grizzlies scored 22 in the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets went cold in the third quarter, shooting 4-for-14 while the Grizzlies maintained their offensive efficiency, and began to pull away with a plus 11 advantage in the third period (20-9) to take a 26-point lead entering the fourth quarter, their largest of the game to that point.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Franklin came out firing right out of the gates and scored the first four points, both layups. A three-pointer by Karrie Smith gave the Yellow Jackets their first lead of the game at 6-5 just over two minutes in. The lead for Defiance was brief and lasted just 20 seconds as the Grizzlies responded with the next six to take an 11-6 lead. Zadria King made a free throw to make the score 19-16 Grizzlies with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter. The Yellow Jackets went scoreless during that time and trailed 21-16 after the first period.

The Yellow Jackets opened the second period by missing their first three shots and trailed by 11, 27-16 before an Addy Allen layup made a single digit affair again. Teagan Hunt and Taylor Bates both knocked down triples to keep the Yellow Jackets within eight points. Over the final 2:29 of the first half, Franklin outscored Defiance 6-2 including six straight before a layup by Bates at the end gave the Yellow Jackets a much needed basket. 

The Grizzlies were red hot from the floor during the first 20 minutes and shot 50% from the field (16-for-32) and scored 26 of their 43 points in the paint. Franklin also had a plus five advantage from the free throw line and dominated on the boards, 24-13, and turned it into seven second chance points.

Franklin picked up where they left off to begin the second half and outscored the Yellow Jackets 20-9 to take a 26-point lead, their largest of the game. After scoring 28 points during the first half on 39 percent shooting, the Yellow Jackets went just 8-for-29 during the second half (28 percent) en route to scoring 20 points. Franklin cooled down a bit in the second half and shot just 41 percent from the floor (12-for-29).

BRINGING THE STING

• Zadria King posted her second double-double of career with 10 points and 10 rebounds, which both led the team.

• Mone'a McElroy got her first career start and recorded her first two career collegiate assists.

• Karrie Smith came away with a career best four steals.

• Teagan Hunt grabbed a career high five rebounds.

• Kaiya Albert added eight points off the bench.

• Franklin outrebounded the Yellow Jackets, 48-28.

• Defiance's bench outscored Franklin's, 27-26.

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets are home again at the Karl H. Weaner Center this Wednesday, January 17 against Anderson with tipoff slated for 7:30 p.m.