ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall outscored Muhlenberg 22-11 in the third quarter, but was unable to overcome a first-half deficit as the Mules defeated the Diplomats 78-50 on Tuesday night in Centennial Conference (CC) women's basketball. The game was the first conference test for each team, with F&M falling to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in the CC while Muhlenberg improved to 4-0 and 1-0.

After a first half that saw the Mules shoot 44.1% and open up a 36-point advantage at halftime, the Diplomats came out with a renewed fire for the third period. Muhlenberg started the quarter with a small 5-1 run, at which point the Diplomats employed a 18-4 run on the back of 11 points from Anajha Burnett and seven from Sarah Haddon. F&M owned the quarter 22-11 and entered the fourth down 25.

The Diplomats carried that momentum into the fourth, getting a three from Burnett (one of six on the night) to start the quarter. However, seven straight points from Muhlenberg put the game out of reach, with the Mules claiming a 78-50 victory.

Burnett led the Diplomats with 20 points, 11 of them in the third, followed by Haddon with 13. Haddon narrowly missed a double-double by adding nine rebounds, while Sarah Pisani dished out nine assists.

F&M returns to action following the Thanksgiving break, taking on Ursinus on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The Diplomats will welcome the Bears to the Mayser Center for a 6:00 start.