WESTMINSTER, MD -- Guard Brandon Smith (So., Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Franklin & Marshall College men's basketball team to an 80-67 win at McDaniel College.
In the first half, Smith dominated the Green Terror knocking down four-of-five from the field, including two-of-two from beyond the arc, for 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds as the knocked down 17-of-30 for a 56.7 percent first half shooting percentage on the way to building a 46-21 halftime lead.
In addition to Smith, guard Jackiem Wright (Sr., Sicklerville, NJ/Moorestown Friends) made five-of-eight field goal attempts, including three-of-six three-pointers, for 15 points in the first half.
Overall, he finished the game with 18 total points, while point guard Duran Searles (Sr., Camden, NJ/Peddie School) and forward Bobby Lynch (Jr., Richboro, PA/Council Rock) chipped in 10 and 11, respectively.
For McDaniel, Sam Anstead was the only Terror to break into double-digits as he registered 10 points, while Sean McNeely led McDaniel on the glass with five rebounds.
McDaniel attempted a comeback attempt in the second half outscoring the Diplomats 46-34 before falling by 13, the closest they would get following halftime28-15 deficit with 6:37 left in the first half.
The keys to the game for F&M were points off turnovers and points in the paint as the Diplomats converted 17 McDaniel turnovers into 21 points, while the Terror netted only 10 points off 17 Franklin & Marshall miscues.
Further, F&M held a 34-16 advantage in points in the paint, a margin which McDaniel failed to overcome and prevent the Diplomats from exploiting throughout the course of the game.
Franklin & Marshall College (8-2, 3-0 CC) will return to action on January 10 at home versus Ursinus College. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. at the Mayser Center.
