LANCASTER, Pa.- The No. 25 Franklin & Marshall men's basketball team (17-2, 6-1 Centennial Conference) outscored visiting McDaniel (11-8, 1-6 Centennial Conference) 37-23 in the second half of Saturday's 64-55 win over the Green Terror to secure the series sweep for 2025-26.

Kevin Nowoswiat and Donahue combined for 40 of the Diplomats' 64 points. Nowoswiat notched back-to-back double-doubles with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Donahue totaled 19 points with two threes. Asad Syed led bench points with nine, going 3-of-4 on triples. Vakaris Grauslys led the Diplomats with four assists and three steals.

The Green Terror stormed to life in the first half, shooting 63.6% (14-of-22) through the first 20 minutes to carry a 32-27 lead into the break. The sides could not be separated to start the game, as they traded buckets to a 5-5 scoreline through the first four minutes of play. Following a McDaniel layup, F&M scored five-straight points via a Syed three and dunk from Biekietov. McDaniel soon earned the lead back for a second time thanks to a five-point run of their own, giving them a 13-12 advantage through the opening ten minutes. 

This set up a run of the sides trading baskets over the next two minutes, swapping the lead on six successive possessions of two points up to McDaniel maintaining a 19-18 advantage. The sides continued to spar over the next few minutes with the visitors holding a 27-25 lead with four minutes to go. A jump shot followed by a three put McDaniel ahead by a half-best lead of seven points, and they eventually led by five at halftime. F&M shot 46.2% (12-of-26) on field goals in the first half but were well outpaced by McDaniel's 63.6% efficiency. 

To begin the second half, an early six-point run for F&M that included four points via Nowoswiat efficiently put F&M back in control at 35-34, the side's first lead in over ten minutes. McDaniel responded to this with six unanswered points over the next ninety seconds, and they again led by five through the opening five minutes. 

This was followed by a nine-point run from the Diplomats capped by a three from Syed, putting F&M back in control at 44-40 with 12 minutes to play. McDaniel stayed in striking distance entering the later stages, trailing by four points with 4:53 to go. Another shot beyond the arc from Syed was followed by a Donahue jump shot to put F&M ahead by nine points with 3:27 to play. The Green Terror could get no closer than six points in the remaining time. 

McDaniel were contained to a 30.0% (6-of-20) field goal percentage in the second half and missed their four three-point chances. F&M maintained their steady shooting efficiency, converting 42.9% (12-of-28) on field goals in the second half. 

Both teams struggled beyond the arc across the contest, as F&M shot 25.0% (5-of-20) and McDaniel converted 18.2% (2-of-11) of their chances. F&M maintained their rebounding supremacy, drawing 32 rebounds against 24 from their opponents. 

The Diplomats are on the road for their next game, as they face Ursinus on Wednesday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m.