ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall could not overcome a 12-point first half deficit en route to a 53-43 loss against Centennial Conference (CC) opponent Muhlenberg, Tuesday afternoon in Allentown. The Diplomats fall to 4-8, 1-6 CC, while the Mules remain atop the conference at 9-3, 6-1 CC.

F&M jumped to an early 10-7 lead with 14:33 left in the first half when Alexa Barbush landed a jumper to put the Diplomats up by three. However, Muhlenberg held F&M scoreless over the next seven minutes, pulling ahead 22-10 off of a 15-0 run with 8:32 remaining in the first.

The Diplomats were unable to gain any ground on the Mules 12-point lead and went into halftime down by a score of 30-18.

In the second, F&M stormed back with a 13-3 run to make it a one possession game at 35-33 with 11:28 left, capped off by a Barbush jumper outside the key. The Diplomats were unable to pull any closer as Muhlenberg gradually extended its lead through the remainder of the half en route to the 10-point decision.

Barbush scored 11 of her game-high 18 points in the second half and tacked on seven rebounds in the loss. Emma Lisle led the team with 14 boards, while Kristina McCarthy added 10 of her own.

F&M collected 16 offensive rebounds compared to 10 from Muhlenberg, outscoring the Mules 12-8 in second-chance points. The Diplomats defense was strong, forcing 14 turnovers and holding Muhlenberg to 32 percent shooting from the floor. F&M shot only 26 percent for the game, including a 27 percent clip from three.

The Diplomats return home to square off against CC-opponent Ursinus on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.

MUHLENBERG 53, FRANKLIN & MARSHALL 43

FRANKLIN & MARSHALL (4-8 (1-6 CC))

Alexa Barbush 7-18 4-6 18; Hannah Rose Nussbaum 2-6 1-2 6; Elizabeth Snyder 2-9 1-4 6; Emma Lisle 2-7 1-2 5; Emily Wetz 1-6 0-0 3; Kristina McCarthy 1-7 1-4 3; Colleen Bott 1-5 0-0 2; Tracy Hahn 0-0 0-0 0; Caroline Studnicky 0-0 0-0 0; Sam Plunkett 0-2 0-0 0; Kara Bacile 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 16-60 8-18 43.

MUHLENBERG (9-3 (6-1 CC))

Alita Zabrecky 5-14 2-2 12; Kate Clawson 3-6 4-4 12; Julie Kelly 3-8 1-2 9; Leeann Lanza 3-6 2-2 8; Nicole Pepe 1-4 2-2 4; Colleen Caldwell 1-5 1-4 3; Hannah Rush 1-5 1-4 3; Emily Lesher 1-1 0-0 2; Erin Laney 0-6 0-0 0; Leanna Tallamy 0-1 0-0 0; Jordan Labbe 0-0 0-0 0; Katy Mitton 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-56 13-20 53.

Franklin & Marshall...........   18   25  -   43

Muhlenberg....................   30   23  -   53

3-point goals--Franklin & Marshall 3-11 (Emily Wetz 1-4; Elizabeth Snyder 1-4; Hannah Rose Nussbaum 1-3), Muhlenberg 4-11 (Kate Clawson 2-2; Julie Kelly 2-5; Nicole Pepe 0-3; Colleen Caldwell 0-1). Fouled out--Franklin & Marshall-None, Muhlenberg-None.

Rebounds--Franklin & Marshall 47 (Emma Lisle 14), Muhlenberg 41 (Kate Clawson 8). Assists--Franklin & Marshall 5 (Elizabeth Snyder 3), Muhlenberg 10 (Alita Zabrecky 2; Hannah Rush 2; Kate Clawson 2; Colleen Caldwell 2).

Total fouls--Franklin & Marshall 16, Muhlenberg 12.

Technical fouls--Franklin & Marshall-None, Muhlenberg-None.

A-80