Box Score

READING, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall defeated Albright 63-55 in men's basketball action Friday evening. The Diplomats improved to 2-1, while the Lions fell to 2-2. 

F&M led from the opening whistle and took an 8-2 lead on a Mike Rice layup at 16:40. The Diplomats went up 14 points, 20-6, at 12:06 and two free throws from Matt Groll at 2:22 made it 29-14. F&M continued to control the pace and went into the break with a 31-16 lead.

A 12-2 run by Albright to start the second made it a five-point game, 33-28, but F&M countered with a 14-6 spurt for a 47-34 lead at 12:10. Albright made another run and came within eight, 49-41, but F&M stayed out front and cruised to the victory.

Justin Kupa shot 6-for-12 from the field and 5-for-6 from the line to finish with a game-high 19 points. Ignas Slyka went 6-for-11 from the floor for 13 points, while Solomon Mathis chipped in seven off the bench and Matt Redhead added six.

F&M outshot Albright 44%-40%, converted 26 turnovers into 23 points, while the Lions held a 38-32 edge on the glass.

The Diplomats return to action on Tuesday when F&M opens Centennial action at Gettysburg for an 8:00 p.m. game.