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GAME NOTES
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology women's basketball team hits the road for the final time in the 2014-15 regular season when the Fightin' Engineers travel to Franklin for a 7:30 p.m. contest with the Grizzlies on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
The game is Franklin's annual Breast Cancer Game, raising public awareness about breast cancer and the importance of research into health-care issues. Donations will be collected for the Kay Yow Cancer Foundation throughout the game.
Rose-Hulman enters the game with a 12-11 record overall including an 8-8 record in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play. Franklin enters the game with a 12-10 mark overall and a 10-6 record in HCAC competition. The last time the two team's met, the Grizzlies came away with a 56-53 victory at Hulbert Arena on Jan. 14. Sophomore Abbie Marshall and freshman Alyzia Dilworth finished with 11 and 10 points respectively. Nicole Thompson led Franklin with 18 points on 7-11 shooting.
The Engineers split a pair of games last weekend, defeating Hanover 70-65 and falling to Bluffton 59-49. The victory over Hanover snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Panthers. In the loss to Bluffton, Marshall and sophomore Josie Schmidt led the Engineers with 14 and 12 points respectively. Three starters (Sheree Williams, Carrie Morris, Jamie Loving) finished with six points. Both teams shot under 40 percent from the field, but the Beavers connected on 23-26 free throws while the Engineers hit 15-23 attempts from the charity stripe.
Statistically, senior Gracie Gibbs leads the team offensively averaging 8.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Marshall is second on the team in scoring, averaging 8.1 points per contest. Loving is second in rebounds, grabbing 5.5 boards per game.
Franklin also went 1-1 last week, falling at Transylvania 74-59 and winning at Earlham 73-59. Lauren DeSutter (10.4), Katie Brewer (9.6), and Nicole Thompson (9.5) combine for half of the Grizzly offense.
As of Feb. 14, the Engineers lead the conference in scoring defense (52.1) and field goal percentage defense (.339).
Franklin leads the all-time series with Rose-Hulman 20-9. The two teams met three times during the 2013-14 season. After splitting the regular season, Franklin won a 55-49 decision in the 2014 HCAC Tournament.
The Engineers still control their own destiny towards an HCAC Tournament berth. Wins in its final two contests and Rose-Hulman qualifies for postseason play.
Rose-Hulman's season finale is against Mount St. Joseph on Saturday, Feb. 21. The game will honor Emily Fuhs, Gracie Gibbs, and Sheree Williams who will be playing their final regular season contests as members of the women's basketball program. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.
