Free throws were the difference in Wednesday night’s contest between the Franklin High School and Greensville County girls basketball teams. The Lady Broncos made them and the Lady Eagles did not.

Franklin made 9-of-11 free throws in overtime and Greensville missed 15 free throws during the game as the Lady Broncos pulled off a 50-46 overtime victory in their season-opener.

The Lady Broncos had a chance to put the ball game away late in the fourth quarter, but Greensville was able to force an extra five minutes. Franklin took a 41-39 on a drive by Keshara Bradley with 30 seconds left to play. Pashawn Hunt then picked up a steal for the Lady Broncos with 30 seconds to go. With nine seconds left in regulation, Kiara Lee was fouled. She missed the front end of a one-and-one and Greensville regained possession. Pooh Doyle sank a jumper at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

Franklin made up for the miscue during the overtime by driving the lane, forcing fouls and capitalizing on free throws. Timia Hobbs knocked in five free throws and Iesha Boone added three more to spark the Lady Broncos.

With a height disadvantage, Franklin head coach Mona Sumblin told her team to drive the lane.

“Obviously they had the height advantage. I know we’ve got guards, so the best we can do is take it to them,” Sumblin said. “I saw they weren’t moving their feet that well and I told them to take it to them and they will foul us.”

Sumblin said the Lady Broncos emphasize free-throw shooting.

“We emphasize defense and free throws. Free throws are free. You’ve got to make them. That’s just a carryover from last year,” she said.

Meanwhile, Greensville misfired on 15 free-throw attempts. A better percentage would have kept the visitors in the game and probably kept the team out of the overtime situation.

Sumblin said Greensville’s man-to-man defense was tough.

“We’ve got things to work on, no doubt. We’ve not faced a man-to-man the whole game. They dropped back in the zone just a few times and played man the rest of the way.”

The game was a see-saw battle with no team leading by more than six points. Franklin’s biggest lead came with 5:20 to play in the first half when Boone hit a jumper to put the Lady Broncos up 17-11.

Bradley and Hobbs both scored 15 points and Boone added 13 points to lead Franklin.

Greensville was led by Gabby Tyler with 15 points.

Franklin’s next game is at home on Tuesday against Parkview. The junior-varsity game tips off at 5:30 p.m.

* The Franklin boys team has postponed its first three game due to the football playoffs. Games against Brunswick, Northampton and Arcadia will be played at a later date. As of right now, the Broncos are still scheduled to host Southampton on Dec. 10.