TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology men's basketball team seeks their fifth conference win in a row, hosting Franklin on Wednesday, January 28, at 7:30 PM for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.

ROSE-HULMAN NOTES:
* Rose-Hulman stands at the top of the HCAC with a record of 12-6 overall and a HCAC record of 9-2.
* The Fightin' Engineers have won four games in a row, defeating Hanover, 81-61, Franklin, 74-48, Manchester, 73-59, and Berea, 66-58.
* Joey Schmitz currently leads the team with 14.4 points per game while shooting 45.8% from beyond the arc.
* Christian Torres leads the team on the glass with 7.2 rebounds per game, while also totaling 9.7 points per game this season and an impressive 57.9% field goal percentage.
* Cole Pride has been another difference maker, totaling 12.5 points per game and a team-high 21 blocked shots.
* Daniel Savovic is another effective scorer, averaging 10.4 points per game and totaling 44 assists on the year. 
* Nate Smith has also made an impact this season, leading the team with 55 assists and 34 steals.
* The Fightin' Engineers are currently shooting 46.8% as a team and 34.4% from beyond the arc. 
* Rose-Hulman has been selected to finish second in the HCAC Preseason Poll, earning 72 points and three first-place votes. 
* The team is led by Head Coach Nick Sales in his fourth season with the Fightin' Engineers. 
* After hosting Franklin, Rose-Hulman will host Transylvania on Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, January 31, at 3 PM.

FRANKLIN NOTES:
* The Grizzlies stand at 11-7 overall this season and 7-4 in the HCAC.
* The team sits in sixth place in the HCAC standings. 
* Franklin comes off a win over Earlham with a final score of 70-46.
* The team is led by Justin Harrington, with 14.5 points per game this season.
* Cooper Matthews also averages double figures in scoring with 14.0 points per game.
* Avery Saunders is the top rebounder for the Grizzlies with 5.0 rebounds per game.
* As a team, the Grizzlies are shooting 41.4% from the field and 31% from beyond the arc.
* Franklin was selected to finish fifth in the HCAC Preseason Poll, earning 46 points.
* The team is led by Head Coach Chris Hamilton in his fourth season with the Grizzlies.
* After traveling to face Rose-Hulman, the Grizzlies will host Bluffton on Saturday, January 31, at 4 PM.

FRANKLIN SERIES HISTORY:
* Rose-Hulman trails in the all-time series against Franklin with an overall record of 45-51 against the Grizzlies.
* The Fightin' Engineers defeated the Grizzlies earlier this season with a final score of 74-48.
* The last time Franklin defeated Rose-Hulman was in the semifinal round of the HCAC Tournament in the 2024-25 season with a final score of 66-63. 
* The Fightin' Engineers have an all-time home record of 19-14 when hosting the Grizzlies. 

CAREER RECORDS:
* Joey Schmitz - 1st in three-point percentage (43.8%), 5th in average minutes (30.31), 10th in three-pointers made (130), 15th in three-pointers attempted (297)
* Kobe Stoudemire - 7th in three-pointers attempted (416), 11th in minutes (2531)
* Cole Pride - 9th in blocked shots (76)

HCAC STANDINGS:
1) Rose-Hulman (12-6, 9-2 HCAC)
2) Mount St. Joseph (10-8, 8-3 HCAC)
T3) Hanover (11-7, 7-4 HCAC)
T3) Transylvania (10-8, 7-4 HCAC)
T3) Anderson (9-9, 7-4 HCAC)
6) Franklin (11-7, 6-4 HCAC)
7) Bluffton (7-11, 5-6 HCAC)
8) Berea (7-11, 3-8 HCAC)
9) Manchester (2-16, 2-9 HCAC)
10) Earlham (1-17, 0-10 HCAC)