Box Score

LANCASTER, Pa. - The Juniata women's basketball team scored 15 of their first 30 points from behind the arc to build a 40-15 halftime lead and hold off Franklin & Marshall 71-51 in non-conference action on Tuesday night.

Claudia McDowell led the Eagles (4-5) with 12 points and six assists, while Kelly Ashcraft and Gina Piccolini each added 11 points to snap a two-game losing streak.

The Diplomats (3-3) won the second-half battle, outscoring Juniata 36-31 on 15 points from Sarah Meisenberg. Meisenberg finished with a game-high 17 points and Casey Downie also recorded double figures with 10 points while grabbing eight rebounds.

Downie put F&M on the board first with a layup off an assist from Meisenberg on it first possession, but the Eagles went 9-for-14 from the field over the next 10 minutes for a 25-4 run to take a commanding lead and never look back.

Meisenberg scored her only points of the first half at the 8:34 mark to stop the Diplomats six minute, four second scoring draught to make it 25-8. Juniata kept its distance, stretching the lead to 25 points on three occasions and ending the half at 40-15.

F&M was able to post the first six points to start the second half, cutting the lead to 40-21. Amanda Miceli's conventional three-point play with 13:31 left in the game brought the Diplomats to the closest point at 46-30.

Cara Landolfi tallied a game-high nine rebounds.

F&M will play its last game of the month on Friday at Cabrini. Game time is 7 p.m.