Jan. 2, 2007

Box Score

LANCASTER, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall hit on just six-of-13 free throws over the last ten minutes, suffering a 69-68 setback to Western Connecticut State in the semifinals of the 40th Annual Sponaugle Collegiate Classic, hosted by the Diplomats. Western Connecticut will advance to Wednesday's Finals, where the Colonials will face Seton Hill, 109-99 victors over Lincoln University.

A Dashon Jennings three-pointer with 5:05 tied the game at 61-61, capping a furious Western Connecticut 13-2 run that spanned five minutes. The run erased what had been an 11-point Diplomat lead with just over ten minutes left in regulation. Another Jennings three-pointer exactly a minute after he tied the game gave the Colonials a 64-63 lead. A pair of Jamie Procino free throws on Western's next possession stretched the lead to 66-63, the Colonials' largest margin on the night.

Logan Outerbridge closed that gap with a trey from the corner on the next trip down.

After trading free throws, the Diplomats reclaimed the lead, 68-67 with 1:42 left in the game on a Brandon Yost free throw, but F&M did not score again. Carlos Pellot's lay-up with 52 ticks proved to be the deciding basket. An F&M turnover with 42 seconds in regulation was answered by solid defense, forcing a Pellot three-pointer with ten seconds left. Yost hauled in the rebound and pushed it up the floor to Logan Outerbridge who attempted a long three-pointer in the closing seconds, but to no avail.

Jennings led all scorers with 24 points. Pellot and Procino chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively for the Colonials. Franklin & Marshall had four players score in double-figures. Yost and Derek Hines each scored 14 points with Yost gathering 11 rebounds. Bryan Teschke scored 12 points, while Outerbridge offered ten.

Western Connecticut's bench outscored Franklin & Marshall's 34-13. 24 of those points belonged to Jennings. Neither team shot well from the charity stripe. The Diplomats hit on 19-of-28 attempts at the line, only connecting on 10-of-17 second half free throws. Western Connecticut clicked on 10-of-23 chances at the line in the game.

With the loss, Franklin & Marshall slips to 4-6 on the season, and will face Lincoln University in the Consolation Game tomorrow evening at the Mayser Center. Western Connecticut improved to 8-3 with the win.