MADISON, N.J. – The Franklin & Marshall women's basketball team fell to Drew, 68-58, in its first road game of the season. The Diplomats (1-1) shot over 40 percent from the field, but went just 3-of-12 from beyond the arc while getting to the free throw line just five times in the contest.
Fiona Reckner led the team in scoring for the second straight contest. She headlined a trio Diplomats who finished in double figures with 15 points. Kayla McCrea (14 points) and Gia Sioutis (13 points) also finished in double figures. Mackenzie Ward had a balanced game with nine points, eight rebounds, and two steals.
Just two occasions in the entire first half saw either side holding a two-possession lead as the opening 20 minutes featured five lead changes and five tied scores. The Rangers held their largest lead of the opening half at 16-10 when Jocelyn Kingsley converted an old-fashioned three-point play as a part of her game-high 18-point evening off the bench.
The back-and-forth battle continued into the second quarter where the Diplomats gained their largest advantage at 25-21 when Reckner got out on the fast break for a layup. Drew ultimately closed the opening half on a 10-2 run and held a 31-27 lead at the break.
Franklin & Marshall trimmed the lead down to three points, 37-34, when McCrea connected from distance with 6:31 to play in the third quarter, but the host Rangers countered with 10 consecutive points to extend their lead to double digits. F&M was still in the battle at 49-40 heading into the final quarter, but could come no closer than seven points down the stretch despite going to just one field goal under 50 percent over the final 10 minutes.
The Diplomats out rebounded the hosts by a 38-28 margin and blocked five shots. Cleo Dallaris had two of F&M's five rejections. Drew made its impact on defense with 12 steals that led to 15 turnovers from the Diplomats.
Women's basketball will look to get back on the winning track when the Diplomats open their home schedule this Saturday against Misericordia. Tip-off against the Cougars inside the Mayser Center is set for 1 p.m. and will be a part of a doubleheader with the men's team who plays Elizabethtown at 3 p.m.
