WHITTIER, Calif. – Franklin & Marshall could not overcome a 10-point first half deficit en route to a 73-61 loss against Lewis & Clark in the Purple and Gold Poet Classic on Sunday evening in non-conference women's basketball action. The Diplomats fell to 3-6, while the Pioneers improved to 4-4.

Lewis & Clark jumped out to an early 17-2 lead with 13:47 left in the first half, but a Jessica Dowicz jump shot for F&M with 4:45 remaining, cut the Pioneer lead to nine points at 31-20. Both teams traded buckets over the closing minutes of the first half and Lewis & Clark went into halftime with a 36-26 lead.

Sam Plunkett paced the Diplomats in the first with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor including four 3-pointers.

F&M began the second half on a 7-2 run, including an Emma Lisle layup at 16:53 to bring the Diplomats within five at 38-33. However, the Pioneers responded with a 15-6 run over the next six and a half minutes to take a 53-39 lead with 10:17 remaining in the game. 

The Diplomats attempted another comeback with a 16-6 run over the next six minutes to cut the deficit to seven points at 61-55 with 2:58 left in the game, but the Pioneers closed the contest on a 12-0 run en route to the victory.

Plunkett finished with a career-high 20 points for F&M while adding six rebounds and five assists. Kristina McCarthy notched her third double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 boards, while Sarah Haddon was also in double-figures in points with 11.

The Diplomats shot 40 percent from the field, including a 43-percent clip from three, while the Pioneers shot 40.3 percent from the floor. F&M guarded Lewis & Clark well, as the Pioneers shot only 12.5 percent from behind the arc.

F&M continues the Purple and Gold Poet Classic tomorrow when the Diplomats take on Pacific Union. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. EST.