FRANKLIN, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology rallied from a 13-point first half deficit to battle into the final minute, before Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference leader Franklin College held on for a 68-66 men's basketball victory on Wednesday night at Hulbert Arena.

Franklin built a 40-27 lead late in the first half, but Rose-Hulman answered with a 19-6 run to tie the score at 46-46 on a layup by Craig McGee with 14:48 remaining.  The score remained within one possession until the final seconds, with Rose-Hulman leading 58-55 at the 5:30 mark on two straight baskets from McGee.

After Rose-Hulman took a 62-60 lead on a layup by Vuk Djuric at the 1:36 mark, Franklin relied on a three-pointer by Sam Gutierrez and three free throws from Borden Kennedy to take a 66-62 lead.  McGee answered with a layup to bring the Engineers within 66-64 at the 18-second mark.

Kennedy hit two more free throws with 16 seconds left, before Djuric scored in the final second to bring Rose-Hulman within the final two-point margin.

McGee led Rose-Hulman with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists.  Eli Combs finished 6-7 from the field with 13 points and seven rebounds, and Djuric recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Engineers.

Franklin placed four starters in double figures, led by Kennedy with 16 points.

Franklin retained the HCAC lead at 12-4 overall and 8-1 in league games with the win, while Rose-Hulman dropped to 7-9 and 4-5 in conference play.  The Fightin' Engineers host Bluffton University on Saturday with a special start time of 1 pm.