Senior Aaron Brock scored the first six points of the game for Wabash, while junior Wes Smith narrowly missed recording a double-double in the first half to lead the Little Giants to a 90-61 victory over Franklin Saturday afternoon at Chadwick Court.
Smith (left) finished with a season-high 31 points and 10 rebounds after scoring 15 points and grabbing nine boards in the opening period. Brock's two three-pointers to open the contest lifted Wabash to a 6-1 lead after Franklin opened the game with a free throw for the Grizzlies only lead of the contest. Brock (below right) finished with 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting for the game.
The Little Giants raced out to an 11-point lead in the first seven minutes of the game before Franklin trimmed the advantage to five points. Wabash outscored the Grizzlies 18-4 over the final six minutes of the first half, holding Franklin scoreless for the final four minutes of the period while building a 19-point lead.
Wabash cruised to the 29-point victory, outscoring the Grizzlies 49-39 in the final period.
The victory was the second of the year for the Little Giants against Franklin. Wabash posted a 95-84 win earlier in the season in the opening game of the Mike Rokicki Community vs. Cancer Tournament at DePauw University. Franklin's Will Conoley, who scored 26 points in the first game for Franklin, was unable to play in Saturday's rematch due to an illness. Zach Merschbrock led the Grizzlies (4-8) with 22 points, while Clay Starrett scored 16.
Wabash (5-5) returns to action with two home North Coast Athletic Conference during the upcoming week. The Little Giants face Hiram College Friday night at Chadwick Court before playing Allegheny College Saturday afternoon.