Box Score 

CHESTERTOWN, Md. – Franklin & Marshall dropped a hard-fought contest, 66-61, to Washington in men's basketball action Saturday afternoon. The Diplomats fell to 2-5, 0-3 CC, while the Shoremen improved to 3-6, 1-2 CC.

A slow start saw the Diplomats leading 7-5 five minutes into the game. A Brian Hines bucket at 12:37 increased F&M's lead to 13-9, but the Shoremen answered with 12-3 run for a 21-16 lead at 8:25. Matt Redhead brought F&M within two, 21-19, but Washington again countered with a 9-0 spurt for a 30-19 lead with 5:19 left in the half. The Diplomat responded by closing out the first with a 9-2 spurt to come within four, 32-28, at the break.

The Diplomats tied the game at 34-34 two minutes into the final frame, and Washington outscored F&M 13-6 over the next six minutes for a 47-40 advantage. Two free throws by Justin Kupa brought F&M within three, 48-45, at 11:34 and a jumper from Solomon Mathis at 8:33 put F&M out front 51-50.

Two ties and six lead changes ensued over the next six minutes with Washington holding onto a 57-55 edge with a little more than five minutes to play. Washington went up six in the final minute and a half of action and key free throws by the Shoremen down the stretch secured the win.

Matt Redhead made 6-of-10 from the floor and finished with a team-high 15 points with five rebounds, while Brian Hines added 12 off the bench with seven boards. Justin Kupa netted 11 and Ignas Slyka ended with 10 for F&M.

The Diplomats outshot Washington 46%-42%, but the Shoremen had a slight 33-30 edge on the glass and converted 17 turnovers into 23 points.

F&M returns to action on Tuesday with a 7:00 p.m. game at Dickinson before a 19-day winter break with action resuming on Dec. 29 with Sponaugle New Years Tournament.