Panther women’s hoops are on to the conference semis.
After another strong year in the Mountain Seven, on Feb. 16 Franklin tipped off the conference tournament, hosting Tuscola on Tom Raby Court in a first-round game. In a 40-point rout of the Mountaineers, they advanced to a semifinal clash with Pisgah, taking on the Black Bears after press time Feb. 20.
Having won nine of their 12 conference games this year, the third-place Panthers earned the right to host sixth-place Tuscola, who were shellacked in both prior meetings between the teams. In front of a packed house on Tom Raby Court, Franklin again outclassed the Mountaineers, recording the game’s first eight points. Six Panthers scored in the first quarter to put their team up 17-2.
Junior guard Cali Queen heated up in the second, scoring nine points in its first several minutes. Junior forward Payton Baty posted back-to-back steals to end the half up 37-10.
Queen stayed hot after the break, posting five more points and a block in the third. Franklin held the Mounties to just five points in the quarter, ending it up 55-14. Senior center Avery Moffitt continued her strong game in the fourth, posting six points en route to a 66-23 win.
After routing Tuscola, Franklin turned their attention to the conference semis, traveling to West Henderson to take on Pisgah Feb. 20.