Denison Men’s Basketball Falls in OT of NCAA First Round

ST. LOUIS, MO -- Denison (24-4) fell in overtime, 67-64, to Franklin (22-7) during the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday night.
 
The Big Red cap their season with a 24-4 record and ownership of both the NCAC Championship and Tournament titles, while the Grizzlies advance into the second round, which will be played on Saturday, March 8, at 7:40 p.m. Franklin will face the winner of tonight’s first-round matchup between host WashU (19-6) and Central (IA) (17-11).
 
FRANKLIN (22-7) 67, DENISON (24-4) 64
  • With the game knotted at five-all just 2:35 in, Franklin used a 5-0 and 6-0 run to take the largest lead of the half at 16-8 with 8:57 remaining. The Big Red went on a crucial 6-0 run to cut the deficit to one, 18-17, and took a 21-20 lead with 3:58 on the clock. The two teams would trade baskets before the Big Red would take the lead for good at 2:32 and ended the half with a 31-27 advantage.
  • Denison controlled the majority of the second half, posting the games largest lead, 53-42, with 8:49 remaining. Over the next 2:20, Franklin would go on a 10-0 run to bring the deficit to one, 53-52. The Big Red netted five points, before a 6-0 run by the Grizzlies would tie the game at 58-58. The two teams would net one free throw apiece, knotting the game at 59-59 and forcing overtime.
  • The extra frame would see Franklin use 3-0 runs to go ahead several times, however Denison would bring its deficit to within one three times, before the Grizzlies would hold onto their lead and close out the game with the three-point victory.
  • Denison was led by senior guard Darren Rubin (Dayton, OH/Oakwood), who netted 12 points, dished two assist and earned one steal, while seniors Ricky Radtke (Willoughby, OH/University School), a forward, and Cameron Smith (Cleveland, OH/University School), a guard, scored 11 points apiece. Radtke added three rebounds, two steals and one assist, while Smith posted four rebounds and one steal. Senior guard Scotty Dean (Chicago, IL/Loyola Academy) recorded a game-high nine rebounds, to go along with three points and two assists.
  • Franklin was led by Cooper Matthews, who poured in a game-high 18 points, to go along with three rebounds, two steals and one assist.
  • As a team, Denison connected on 20-of-50 field goal attempts and made 16-of-23 chances at the line, while Franklin went 27-of-59 from the floor and 9-of-14 at the charity stripe.
  • The Big Red outrebounded the Grizzlies 36-33, while the red and white bench outscored their opponents' substitutions 16-10.

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