Box Score

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Franklin & Marshall closed out the game with an 11-3 run to erase a five-point deficit and defeated Muhlenberg 70-67 in Centennial Conference (CC) men's basketball action Sunday afternoon. The Diplomats improved to 10-13, 6-10 CC, while Muhlenberg fell to 16-7, 9-7 CC.

Muhlenberg controlled the early minutes of the game and held a 17-7 lead at 11:58. The Diplomats answered by keeping the Mules off the board for more than seven minutes and went on a 15-0 run for a 22-17 lead with 7:04 left in the first. The Mules countered with a 10-2 spurt and retook the lead, but F&M stayed within striking distance and a three by Mike Rice gave the Diplomats a 31-29 lead at the break.

The Mules opened the second with a 13-2 run and took a 42-33 lead at 14:46. Muhlenberg held a 10-point edge three times over the few minutes and led 55-45 at 9:22. The Diplomats went on a 10-2 run to come within two, 57-55, before the Mules went up five, 64-59, at 4:19, setting up the Diplomats game-winning run.

Ignas Slyka had a game-high 21 points, hitting 8-of-13 from the floor. Brian Hines netted 14 with eight boards and Justin Kupa ended with 10. Solomon Mathis dished out five assists and finished with 10 points off the bench.

F&M converted 17 turnovers into 24 points and outshot the Mules 44.6%-44.4%.

F&M closes out the regular season with two home games this week. The Diplomats host Johns Hopkins on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. and Ursinus on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.