LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall women's basketball team (6-5, 1-5 CC) earned a hard-fought 51-47 victory over Salisbury (6-11) to pick up its first win of 2024 Saturday morning at the Mayser Center.

The Diplomats jumped out to an early 16-9 lead, thanks to a shooting percentage of 57.1 percent from the field during the first 10 minutes of the game. Tied 2-2, Jaclyn Feit made a layup to mark the beginning of a 12-0 stretch for F&M to hold a 14-2 advantage with three minutes left in the quarter. The Sea Gulls narrowed the gap, but the Diplomats would take a 16-9 lead into the second quarter.

Franklin & Marshall continued to apply pressure in the second stanza as it extended its lead to 25-11 after five minutes. The Sea Gulls made a pair of free throws to make it a 12-point game with 4:44 remaining in the quarter, but the Diplomats were persistent in hitting big shots as the quarter neared halftime. Mackenzie Ward made a layup that was followed by a three-pointer from Ally Trebelev with 3:21 on the clock. Quinn Galligan made a jumper to put F&M ahead 32-13 for its biggest lead of the game at the 2:34 mark. A layup from the Sea Gulls in the final minute made the score, 32-15, in favor of F&M entering the intermission.

F&M came out of halftime cold as the Diplomats were held to just two-made baskets from the field in the quarter. Meanwhile, Salisbury outscored the hosts, 17-8, in the period to cut F&M's lead to 40-32 going into the final frame.

Leading 46-43, Kayla McCrea knocked down a pair of free throws to give F&M some breathing room. Salisbury made a layup the following possession, but that was quickly matched with a layup from Galligan on the other end. The Seagulls chipped-in another two points to make it a one-possession game in the final minute, but McCrea hit a free throw with seconds remaining to ice the game.

Galligan led the game with 12 points, while Trebelev finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine boards. McCrea ended the game with a career-high 10 points in the win. F&M racked up 13 steals, led by Lizzie Neville with four.

Franklin & Marshall looks to continue its momentum when it travels to face Centennial Conference foe Muhlenberg Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.