St. Louis, MO.- The Denison Big Red men's basketball team bowed out of the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championships, after losing to Franklin College in overtime 67-64. The Franklin Grizzlies advance to the second round and face the winner of game two between Central College and The University of Washington in St. Louis, on Saturday, March 8, at 6:40 p.m. CST.
Meeting for just the sixth time in program history, the top-seeded Denison had to play catch up early against Franklin's fast-paced offense. For most of the first half, the Grizzlies held a marginal lead over the Big Red; however, midway through the first half, they held an eight-point lead with just under ten minutes left in the half. In the final four minutes before halftime, Denison strung a series of layups with big-time three-pointers to take the lead just before heading to the locker room.
With momentum shifted in favor of Denison and a 31-27 lead at the start of the second half, the Big Red opened the half with their fifth three-pointer of the game, getting into an early groove. Though Denison would go on a 9-5 run over Franklin, the Grizzlies wouldn't back down and increased their defensive pressure with every made basket. That unwavering defense forced 19 turnovers, translating to 22 points for Franklin. With time winding down and the two teams trading baskets, fouls, and turnovers, they were knotted up at 59 after the Big Red and the Grizzlies split their free throws.
In overtime, Franklin knocked down crucial free throws, and changed the game's pace, lulling Denison's defense twice for open layups. Unfortunately for the Big Red, shots were not falling as time wound down, and with 10 seconds left in regulation, a final second heave behind the arc was thwarted when the Grizzlies Dylan Beverly poked the ball out of the Big Red's hands for a game winning steal.
Denison finished the evening shooting 40% from the field, and 25% from behind the arc. Three members of the Big Red finished in double digits,
Darren Rubin put up 12 points and two assists, while
Cameron Smith, and
Ricky Radtke finished with 11 apiece.
Trevor Reed dished out three assists, while Dean pulled down nine rebounds throughout the matchup.
Though Franklin's bench didn't produce at the same caliber as the Big Red's, the Grizzlies' Cooper Matthews, Cody Samples, and Jessie Morgan III put up big numbers to lift Franklin past Denison. Matthews finished with 18 points, Samples scored 16, and pulled down five rebounds, while teammate Morgan III grabbed six rebounds, dished out two assists and put up 14 points.
Throughout this historic year for the Big Red, they've earned the honor of most wins in a single season with their 24-4 record, they broke an over 100 year-old record with 12 consecutive wins this season, and for the fourth time in program history, the No. 18 Denison men's basketball team found themselves in the first round of the NCAA Division III Regionals.
