LANCASTER, Pa. - Hosting the Terry Greene Tip-Off Tournament, the Franklin & Marshall Women's Basketball team defeated Lancaster Bible, 55-42 in its season opener.
Within the first two minutes of the opening quarter, the Diplomats raced out to a 6-0 lead, led by four
Jaclyn Feit points. Feit went on to make two more lay-ups over the next three minutes, as F&M grew its advantage 12-5. The Diplomats also held the Chargers to just two points over the final seven minutes of the quarter, and ended the frame on an 11-0 run to take a 19-5 lead heading into the second stanza.
After a
Lizzie Neville bucket in the opening minutes of the second period, F&M went on a three-and-a-half minute scoring drought as Lancaster Bible brought the score to 21-16 following 11 unanswered points. However, Feit answered immediately with an and-one, before the two teams traded baskets over the next four possessions. Hunter Raven scored the lone basket in the final two minutes of the half, as the Diplomats went into the locker room with a 28-26 edge.
F&M managed to build its lead back up to double digits to begin the third quarter, as it went on a 12-2 run in the first five minutes, highlighted by eight Neville points. After both sides went scoreless over the next three minutes, the Chargers finished the frame with a 7-2 run to get to within 11 heading into the fourth quarter.
Feit started the final period with back-to-back field goals, and was followed by an Ally Treblev bucket to cap off a 6-0 run in the first two minutes. Going scoreless over the next three minutes, Feit scored her final basket of the night to end the drought. The Diplomats ended the game with a 55-42 win, marking an opening night victory to begin the 2023-24 campaign.
In addition to her team-leading 17 points, Feit registered a career-high 16 rebounds for a double-double. She also posted five blocks. Neville shot 3-of-8 from distance and dished out five assists, while recording four steals. As a team, F&M out-rebounded Lancaster Bible, 51-35, and 24-11 on the offensive glass.
The Diplomats will return to action tomorrow with a matchup against Penn State-Harrisburg at 7:30 p.m. in their second game of the tournament.
