SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Swarthmore used a 13-0 run to start the second quarter to defeat Franklin & Marshall 74-53 on Tuesday night in Centennial Conference (CC) women's basketball. The Diplomats fell to 1-8, 1-4 CC with the loss while the Garnet improved to 2-5, 2-2 CC. 

Thirteen seconds into the first quarter, Sarah Haddon converted from the foul line to complete a three-point play, kicking off a 9-2 Diplomat run to start the game. However, six points in the paint got the Garnet back into the game, as F&M led 14-11 after one period.

In the second, Swarthmore took full control, using three straight treys to make a 13-0 run and take a 24-14 lead with 3:58 left in the second. A pair of threes from Anajha Burnett closed the gap for F&M, but at halftime the Garnet held a 34-26 lead.

Five quick points from Haley Pilone brought F&M to within three just 52 seconds into the second, but Swarthmore again caught fire, putting together an 11-0 run to take a 45-31 lead with 5:53 left in the third. Lindsey Powers and Pilone each hit a three to pull F&M back within nine with seconds left in the third, but the Garnet got a buzzer-beating three from Melanie Ackerman to take a 52-40 lead into the fourth.

A quick 8-0 run to start the fourth proved to be plenty for Swarthmore, going on to defeat the Diplomats 74-53.

Pilone led F&M in scoring, tallying 18 points on the night. Powers added nine for the Diplomats.

On the boards, Haddon paced F&M with eight rebounds, followed by seven from Burnett.

Ackerman led the Garnet with 22 points, one of four Swarthmore players to reach double figures.

The Diplomats return to action on Dec. 30, traveling to Susquehanna for a 7:00 p.m. matchup.