FRANKLIN—Southampton High School barely escaped Franklin on Tuesday night after posting a 56-53 win over the host Broncos.

The win keeps Southampton undefeated at 5-0, while Franklin fell to 2-2.

Both teams’ leading scorers — Nick Doyle for the Indians and Adam Grant for Franklin — netted 23 points each.

Southampton Coach Will Melbye called the game, which had several lead changes, another battle in a war that has existed for years, while Bronco Coach Danny Dillon had much praise for his team’s performance.

“They played like brothers,” Dillon said. “They shared the ball, were unselfish in passing and encouraged each other during this great game that was played here tonight.”

The Broncos took a 3-0 start in the first quarter. Indian Nick Doyle fired back with eight points, giving Southampton a 12-11 edge at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter opened with the Broncos taking the lead as Tyshawn Lowe dropped in two points from the foul line. Between Lowe and Adam Grant, the Broncos ran off 10 points before the Indians scored and built their lead to 22-14.

The Indians chipped away at Franklin’s lead and went into the locker room at the half down 26-25 after Southampton’s Jay’R McCain hit a three-pointer.

Doyle opened the third quarter with three, three-point baskets and the Indians reclaimed the lead 36-30.

At the buzzer for the third quarter, Grant hit a three-pointer to close the Indians’ lead to 42-40.

For the final quarter, Grant opened with a three-pointer allowing the Broncos to jump ahead 43-42. The Broncos held onto the lead until the Indians scored on a layup to put them ahead 50-49 with 1:40 remaining .

With less than a minute, Franklin missed on a shot and the Indians’ Hayden Spalding scored and was fouled. Spalding dropped in the foul shot, giving Southampton a 53-49 edge.

The Broncos’ Lowe hit for two, cutting the Indians’ lead to 53-51.

Forced to foul, Franklin sent Karon Evans to the line. He dropped in both baskets of a 1-and-1 to give the Indians a 55-51 lead.

As the Broncos tried to connect on a three-pointer, Grant was fouled. With 7.1 seconds remaining in the game, he scored on two of the three shots to close the game to 55-53.

Having to foul again, the Broncos sent Jamal Johnson to the line. Johnson missed on the first shot. Franklin got the rebound, and Johnson stole the ball and was fouled again. At the line, Johnson scored one point to secure the win.

McCain scored 13 points for the Indians and Lowe added 19 for Franklin.