Nov. 29, 2006

Box Score

LANCASTER, Pa. - by Liz Webber, F&M Sports Information Office

Brittany Braxton tied a Centennial Conference record with 24 rebounds, and scored 15 points to lead the Diplomats to a 68-58 Centennial Conference women's basketball win over Haverford on Wednesday. Franklin & Marshall used a 15-2 second-half run to pull away from the visiting Fords, and picked up its First Centennial win of the season in the process.

Braxton's 24 rebounds draws her even with four other Centennial players who have hit the same mark. Ursinus' Molly Guntli hauled in 24 boards back on January 18, 2006. That was the first time it had been done in a decade.

Ahead 36-30 at the half, the Diplomats entered the second period a little shaky, allowing the Fords to knot the score at 40-all and eventually take a 47-44 lead. Field goals by Braxton and Amanda Miceli at 10:37 and 10:10, respectively, put the scoreboard back into F&M's favor and sparked the game-deciding run. Meisenberg recorded a pair of jumpers and a free throw to push the lead out to 53-49 with 9:04 left to play.

The F&M offense continued to build the lead, gaining a 61-49 edge with 5:05 left on the clock. Despite a last minute push from the three point range by Haverford, F&M remained ahead 68-58 to take their first conference win of the season.

Guard Sarah Meisenberg scored a game high 23 points to pace Franklin & Marshall's offense. Most of the Diplomat offense came from the starters, as Miriam Marcis, Braxton, and Meisenberg combined for 53 points.

For the Fords, Brittan Lattisaw recorded a double-double, notching 11 points and 15 rebounds, while Abby Scattergood managed 17 points and four assists to help the Haverford cause.

With the win, Franklin & Marshall improves to 2-3 (1-1 CC), while the Fords fall to 0-2 (02- CC). Franklin & Marshall is idle until Tuesday, when the Diplomats head west to Carlisle to face Centennial rival, Dickinson/ Tip-off for that game is slated for 7:00 p.m.