LEXINGTON, Va. - In its opening game of the Washington & Lee Holiday Classic, the Franklin & Marshall Men's Basketball team fell to the Generals, 75-70. The Diplomats now await the winner between Susquehanna and Denison for their consolation game tomorrow afternoon. 

In the first half, the score difference never reached above seven, with Washington & Lee leading for the opening 19 minutes. After falling behind 5-0, F&M tied the game 9-9 behind three consecutive Josh Parra buckets. Within the next minute, Washington & Lee grew its lead up to six following a Drew Harrell and-one and a Thomas Feigin three-pointer.

After shrinking the deficit to one, trailing 17-16, the Diplomats went down by seven with under 10 minutes left in the first half thanks to a 6-0 Generals run. With Washington & Lee later up 32-26, F&M used a 12-4 run to take its first lead of the game with 18 seconds remaining in the frame. However, a Jack D'Entremont bucket from distance in the final seconds put the Generals up by one heading into the break. 

The Diplomats drew even with Washington & Lee within the first four minutes of the second half, and jumped in front 46-44 almost immediately after. Once again tied 46-46, F&M scored eight unanswered for its largest lead of the game. Continuing to lead, 59-54, with over 12 minutes left to play in regulation, the Diplomats saw their advantage disappear after the Generals went on an 11-0 run to stay in front for good.

F&M stayed within striking distance for the remainder of the game, but the Diplomats shot just 3-of-12 in the final eight minutes of the contest, and were unable to re-take the lead. Down by three with 22 seconds left to go, F&M failed to score on its ensuing possession before a pair of made free-throws by Washington & Lee on the other end sealed the game. 

Four Diplomats entered double-figures on the afternoon, led by Vakaris Grauslys with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field. Kevin Nowoswiat registered his second double-double of the season with 11 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. In the paint, F&M outscored the Generals 40-24.