LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall erased an 18-point first half deficit to defeat Haverford 64-57 in overtime in Centennial Conference (CC) men's basketball action. The victory is the fifth-straight for F&M as they improved to 12-5, 6-4 CC while the Fords fell to 2-15, 1-9 CC. 

The Fords completely dominated the first half and took a 31-13 lead into the break. After four straight points from F&M to open the second, the Fords looked to take control again and led by 17, 42-25, at 12:56. The Diplomats hit another gear and went on an 11-0 run over the next 5:28 to come within six, 42-36, with 7:38 left to play. 

Haverford scored five straight to go back up 11, but F&M countered with an 8-0 spurt with triples from Matthew Tate and Brandon Federici to make a 3-point game, 47-44, at 5:00. The Fords hit two from the line to go back up five and F&M closed out the second half with five straight points to tie the game and send it into overtime. 

Federici hit a jumper 46 seconds into overtime to give F&M its first lead of the game and Ignas Slyka drained a three at 2:50 to put F&M up five, 54-49. Haverford came within three on its next possession but a bucket from Lionel Owona bookended by two layups from Federici put F&M up nine, 60-51, and the Diplomats were able to secure the win from the line during the final minute of action. 

Federici led all scorers with 22 points despite shooting just 9-for-24 from the floor. Tate netted 12 and J.C. McGrath chipped in 11. Owona had nine points to go along with 10 boards and Jared Wright ended up with five steals. 

Matt Sherman paced the Fords with 14 and Jack Cork along with Sam Stogdon each netted 11. 

F&M returns to action on Thursday when the Diplomats travel to Gettysburg for an 8:00 p.m. game.