Box Score

ASTON, Pa. -- Solomon Mathis had a career-high 20 points to lead Franklin & Marshall to a 71-53 victory over Neumann in men's basketball action Thursday evening. The Diplomats improved to 9-3, while the Knights dropped to 9-5. 

F&M jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and went ahead 21-10 with 11:44 left in the half.  A Mike Rice triple at 5:53 put the Diplomats ahead 32-14 and the teams exchanged points the remainder of the half with F&M holding onto a 44-25 lead at the break.

The Knights netted seven straight to start the second and came within 12, 44-32, three minutes into the half. Neumann made it a nine-point game at 15:40, but the Diplomats scored six straight for a 51-36 lead a minute later. The Knights came within 11, 53-42, at 11:29, but that was as close as they would get as the Diplomats went on an 8-2 run and held a double-digit lead the remainder of the game.

Solomon Mathis hit 8-of-12 from the floor and ended with a game-high 20 points off the bench. J.C. McGrath hit 7-of-9 from the floor for 16 points and added 16 rebounds for a double-double and Justin Kupa chipped in 10 points. Les Thomas and Matt Redhead both ended with seven points.

F&M outshot the Knights 49-30-percent, and held a 46-31 edge on the glass.

The Diplomats resume Centennial action on Tuesday when the Diplomats welcome Washington to the Mayser Center for an 8:00 p.m. tip.