CARLISLE, PA -- Forward Bobby Lynch (Jr., Richboro, PA/Council Rock) and center Steve Juskin (Sr., East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park) were the only players to crack double digits as both dropped in a game high 14 points to lead the Franklin & Marshall College men's basketball team to an 81-42 win at host Dickinson College (3-12, 2-6 CC) in Centennial Conference action.
Lynch, who ranked 21st in the nation in field goal percentage (60.0 percent) entering the game, upped his percentage by knocking down seven-of-seven from the field while adding two rebounds, while Juskin hit five-of-eight from the field and four-of-seven at the free-throw line while tallying six assists, two blocks and a game high seven rebounds in the victory.
Overall, with the win the #17 nationally ranked Diplomats improve to 13-2 on the year and remain perfect in Centennial Conference play with an 8-0 record.
In addition to Lynch and Juskin, point guard Duran Searles (Sr., Camden, NJ/Peddie School) chipped in seven points and a game high seven assists, while guard Jackiem Wright (Sr., Sicklerville, NJ/Moorestown Friends) added eight points and a game high five steals. Guard/forward Brandon Smith (So., Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) rounded out the F&M starting five by finishing the night with nine points and eight rebounds as the Diplomats held a 38-30 advantage on the boards, including a 25-19 advantage on the defensive glass.
Postmen Danny Lynch (Jr., Richboro, PA/Council Rock) and Josh Fogg (So., Merrimacport, MA/Cushing Academy) dropped in nine and seven points, respectively, off the bench while backup point guard Logan Outerbridge (Fr., Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock) made three-of-five shots, including three-of-three from beyond the arc, for nine points.
The keys to the game for F&M were defense and a strong first half as the blue and white forced 24 Dickinson turnovers and tallied 16 steals while jumping out to a 43-17 advantage at the break.
In the first half, Juskin and Lynch keyed the attack as both finished with eight points before heading into the locker room. The story of the half, however, was Wright who point in five points and stripped away four of F&M's 10 first half steals as the Diplomats limited Dickinson to six-of-24 shooting from the field in the first half.
Historically, the victory raises F&M head coach Glenn Robinson's career record to 661-233 as he is now six victories shy of surpassing former Illinois Wesleyan coach Dennie Bridges (666 wins) for the all-time Division III wins record. Further, the win moves Robinson within four games of surpassing legendary UCLA coach John Wooden (664-162) for 25th on the all-time NCAA wins list.
For Dickinson, George Alafoginis led the Red Devils with nine points and five rebounds. Nick Good added five boards and Matt Keys registered eight points as Dickinson falls to 60-93 against Franklin & Marshall, including losses in the last 13 meetings between the two programs.
Franklin & Marshall will continue the season at home on January 24 versus Haverford College in the Mayser Center. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.
