FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Fightin' Engineers put up a great fight against the #1-seeded Grizzlies, but Franklin was able to prevail with a 74-67 win.
 
The Grizzlies got off to a hot start as they opened the game on a 10-4 run. Schipp was able to cut into the lead, as she scored on a fast break layup before knocking down a two-point jumper on the following possession.
 
Following three straight field goals from the Grizzlies, Kaia Peterson converted a mid-range jump shot on the fast break. Schipp added a tip-in, and Katelyn Fennell scored on a pair of free throws as RHIT concluded the first down 21-14.
 
The Fightin' Engineers caught fire to start the second quarter as they scored on five consecutive shots. Peterson was able to knock down a three-pointer, and Fennell scored a tough and-one layup, which cut the lead to three.
 
Schipp recorded a pair of two-pointers, and she recorded a steal that resulted in a fast break layup from Sophia Reese, making it a 27-26 game in favor of Franklin.
 
The Grizzlies were able to maintain their lead, as they closed out the second shooting 3-4 from three-point range. Fennell was able to knock down another three pointer, and she converted a basket right before the buzzer as Rose-Hulman concluded the half down 42-36.
 
CK Gallegos Rodriguez led off the third quarter with a mid-range basket. Shortly thereafter, Schipp hauled in an offensive rebound, and she was able to score on an and-one bucket in the point. On the very next possession, Fennell swished a three pointer as the Fightin' Engineers tied the game at 44-44.

The Grizzlies answered with a quick 6-0 run, which came to an end off a scoop and score steal from María Godoy Rodriguez. Reese added a three-pointer late in the third, concluding the quarter with RHIT trailing 58-50.
 
Peterson and Reese scored back-to-back buckets, which helped make it a six-point game. Franklin was able to extend their lead to double digits, as they got to the free throw line and also knocked down a three-point jump shot.
 
Fennell would later record a steal, which led to another fast-break layup from Schipp. With 3:30 left in the game, Reese reduced the deficit to 72-63 as she cashed a shot from beyond the arc. Peterson added a layup right before the buzzer, but the Grizzlies were able to maintain the top record in the HCAC, as they pulled out a 74-67 win.
 
Emma Schipp posted her second double-double of the season, with game-highs of 20 points and ten rebounds. She shot 9-21 from the floor, while securing six offensive boards. Additionally, Schipp recorded two steals and blocked one shot.
 
Katelyn Fennell dropped 15 points on 4-12 shooting, while going 2-4 from three and 5-5 at the free throw line. She hauled in eight rebounds, dished out two assists, and recorded a game-high three steals.
 
Sophia Reese scored 11 points on 4-10 shooting, while converting 2-6 of her shots from beyond the arc. She added two rebounds and two steals, while dishing out a team-high five assists.
 
Kaia Peterson recorded 11 points on 5-14 shooting from the floor. She added two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.
 
The Fightin' Engineers will look to make it two wins in a row as they face Berea on the road. The match will tip off on Saturday, January 24, at 1 PM.