LANCASTER, PA -- Forward Bobby Lynch (Jr., Richboro, PA/Council Rock) hit nine-of-12 from the field and 10-of-12 at the free-throw line for 28 points while pulling down 11 rebounds for game highs as the Franklin & Marshall College men's basketball team (14-2, 9-0 Centennial Conference) routed Haverford College (6-9, 4-5 CC) 81-59.
Historically, Lynch's performance was two points shy of the 26th 30-point game in the 101 years of basketball at the College as guard Jackiem Wright (Sr., Sicklerville, NJ/Moorestown Friends) last accomplished the feat on January 4, 2002 with 34 points in a 91-60 win over Lincoln University in the title game of the 2003 Lancaster Rotary Tip-Off the New Year Tournament.
Lynch factored in the game from the opening whistle as he scored his team's first seven points with three field goals off offensive rebounds and a foul-shot in the opening four minutes of the game as F&M overcame a 2-0 deficit to take a 7-2 lead, a lead they failed to relinquish for the remainder of the game.
Overall, he dominated the game in the first half hitting five-of-six field goal attempts and three-of-five free-throws for 13 points while grabbing five rebounds and blocking two shots as Franklin & Marshall held a 41-25 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Lynch continued his dominance draining four-of-six field goal attempts and all seven free throw chances for 15 second half points with six offensive rebounds as F&M outscored the Fords 40-34 in the final twenty minutes to coast to the 22 point win.
Center Steve Juskin (Sr., East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park) added 19 points and seven rebounds, while forward Brandon Smith (So., Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) chipped in 11 points and eight boards. In addition, point guard Duran Searles (Sr., Camden, NJ/Peddie School) added eight points and reserve center Danny Lynch (Jr., Richboro, PA/Council Rock) came off the bench to tally five points as the Diplomats raised their winning streak to nine games.
F&M sealed the victory in the first half as Juskin scored seven points to fuel a 19-0 run in which Franklin & Marshall expanded a 12-10 lead with 12:24 left to take a 31-10 advantage with 7:47 left in the period following four straight free-throws by Smith off a foul by Matt Stein and a technical foul on Johnny Elefterakis.
For Haverford, Jeremy Bass led the way with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Mark Gabriel chipped in 12 points and Patrick Stewart added 10 points as the Fords fall to 10-56 all-time against Franklin & Marshall, including 26 straight losses dating back to 1977.
Historically, the victory raises F&M head coach Glenn Robinson's career record to 662-233 as he is now five 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 three games of surpassing legendary UCLA coach John Wooden (664-162) for 25th on the all-time NCAA wins list.
Franklin & Marshall will continue the season at home on January 28 versus Johns Hopkins University in the Mayser Center. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
