ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Franklin & Marshall men's basketball team started its season with the national game of the week against tournament host Mount Union on Friday evening. After a back-and-forth start to the contest, the Purple Raiders pulled away late in the first half. The Diplomats scored 19 of the final 23 points during the final five minutes of action, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome in the 89-78 final.
Franklin Jones (12 points), Ehi Ataga (11 points), and Sean Donovan (10 points) all finished in double figures for the Diplomats who were 6-for-8 from beyond the arc while shooting over 64 percent from the field during the second half. Franklin & Marshall's bench accounted for 52 of the team's points and nearly doubled up the Mount Union bench in total points (52-30).
The first half featured seven lead chances and six ties during the first 10 minutes with Jones' jumper putting F&M up 18-16. The Purple Raiders immediately countered with a three-pointer to jump start a 17-4 run that ultimately led to Mount Union holding a 46-29 advantage at the half following another late 13-2 run in the closing minutes.
Mount Union's largest lead of the night came at the 11:16 mark of the second half before the Diplomats picked up their play in the closing minutes. During that closing run, it was the first-years and sophomores who provided the spark off the bench as Ataga, JT Lindi, Gunther Neumann, Quin Frasher, and Landon Brownstein accounted for all of the team's points down the stretch.
In addition to having more points off the bench, F&M also led in points off turnovers (19-14) and points in the paint (38-32).
Franklin & Marshall concludes its opening weekend at the M Club Classic on Saturday with a 3 p.m. tip versus Muskingum.
