PHOTOS

RICHMOND, Ind. – Sophomore Elijah Wilson-Thomas tallied 18 points in an Earlham College men's basketball loss to Franklin 82-74 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) action on Saturday.

Franklin jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the first 15:51 as the Grizzlies connected in three triples early. Earlham began to cut the Franklin lead as freshman Isaiah Waire connected on a three-pointer to get the Quakers within three points (17-14) with 10:57 to play in the first half.

Six minutes later, senior Taylen Alexander hit one of two free throws to make the score 24-22 with 4:27 to play in the first half. Franklin went on a 14-4 run to end the half and led 40-26 at halftime.

Franklin's lead blossomed to 13 points (51-38) when John Beineke hit a layup with 14:33 to play. Trailing by 13, Earlham went on a 17-9 run in the follow eight minutes capped off by two free throws from Wilson-Thomas. The Quakers trailed by just five (60-55) with 6:38 to play.

After Aaron Mann scored on two of his 21 points on two free throws, Waire hit a layup to cut the Grizzly lead to five points yet again. Franklin scored on its next two baskets to push the lead back to double digits.

The Quakers would get the deficit down to six points, but could get no closer.

Wilson-Thomas scored 18 points to lead Earlham in defeat. Alexander, Waire, and junior Kyle Smith all finished with 14 points. Trae Washington led all scorers with 26 points. Washington and Mann combined for 47 of Franklin's 82 points.

Franklin shot 47.9 percent (23-48) while Earlham finished at 41.8 percent (23-55). The Grizzlies finished 29-36 from the free throw line while the Quakers went 23-30 from the charity stripe. In total, 53 fouls were called.

Earlham returns to action when it travels to Philadelphia to face Swarthmore at 6 p.m. on Dec. 19.