LANCASTER, Pa. -- Franklin & Marshall never trailed - going coast to coast in a 69-55 victory over Washington on Saturday afternoon in Centennial Conference (CC) action. A coast to coast victory kept the Diplomats (8-11, 5-7 CC) in the CC playoff picture with six games to play, while the Shoremen (4-14, 1-10 CC) inched closer to elimination.

F&M got started in electrifying fashion, as quick passing led to an opening dunk by Josh Parra - the first and only lead the Diplomats needed during the contest. The Diplomats held steady during the first half, expanding the lead to five on a Solomon Mathis free throw at the 15:21 mark. The Shoremen eventually cut the lead down to three with 9:25 left, but a 7-0 run led by a triple from Omar Nichols and back-to-back jumpers by Solomon Mathis pushed the F&M advantage to double-digits at 23-13. The 10+ point lead held steady for the next seven minutes, until a 5-1 Washington run sliced the lead to eight with 2:42 to play, where it stayed through the end of the half.

After an opening jumper by Washington to open the second half, F&M came roaring back with a monstrous block by Riiny Giir at one end, then a Mathis jumper at the other to nullify the early WAC basket. F&M added onto the eight point lead after Mark Suchy forced a turnover, leading to a fast break layup from John Seidman. A technical foul for flopping put another point on the board for a 38-27 lead with 17:20 to play. Washington was determined to keep things close, going on a game-high 9-0 run to narrow the gap to two - 38-36. A dagger three from Jaylen Green ended the spurt, but WAC stayed tough, hitting back to back jumpers to close to 44-43.

A 7-0 run by the Diplomats was capped off with a Giir layup to put F&M back on top 51-43 with 6:55 left. The Shoremen pulled to within six, but that was as close as they got as F&M kept the visitors at arm's length for the remainder of the game. The Diplomats closed the game on a 16-8 spurt to finish off the 69-55 final.

F&M shot 53.2% (25-47) from the field, holding WAC to 41.7% (20-48). The Diplomats held a dominating edge in rebounding, finishing with a +15 advantage, including nine offensive boards.

Solomon Mathis led the way with 20 points - the lone Diplomats in double-figures. John Seidman played the role of stat-stuffer, ending with nine points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. Jaylen Green hit all three of his three-point attempts for nine points.

The Diplomats now travel to Gettysburg for a date with the Bullets on Wednesday, Feb. 2 beginning at 8:00 p.m.