ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall fell to Muhlenberg 86-53 on Saturday afternoon in Centennial Conference (CC) women's basketball action. The Diplomats slipped to 5-18, 2-15 CC, while the Mules improved to 16-6, 14-3 CC. 

It was a close game in the early going, as an Erica Brown free throw gave F&M the lead at 5-4 with 16:34 remaining in the first. From there, a 19-4 run by Muhlenberg guided the Mules to a 23-9 advantage with 8:52 to go in the opening half.

Muhlenberg continued to maintain its double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the first half and took a 43-19 advantage heading into the break. 

Brown led the Diplomats in the first half with six points, seven rebounds and two blocks. 

Emily Wetz scored the first five F&M points to open up second-half play, but F&M was never able to establish a significant spurt, as the CC's second-highest scoring offense launched a total of 92 shots in the game. The Mules held their strong lead throughout the rest of the game, en route to the 86-53 win.

For the second straight game, Brown finished with 22 points, a career-high. She brought down 15 boards, also a career-high, to notch her second consecutive double-double. Wetz registered 11 points, while Leslie Bacile added seven points for the Diplomats.

Leanna Tallamy paced Muhlenberg with 21 points and Nicole Pepe recorded 15. 

The Mules outshot F&M 33.7-25.6 percent and held the edge on the glass at 75-54. 

The Diplomats return to action on Wednesday when F&M travels to Gettysburg for a 6:00 p.m. contest.