LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall women's basketball team (11-10, 4-5 CC) couldn't hold off Salisbury (13-8) in a 60-56 loss Wednesday evening at the Mayser Center. The Sea Gulls used a fourth-quarter push, outscoring the Diplomats, 14-6, in the period to come away with the win.

Salisbury jumped out to a 12-4 lead halfway through the first quarter, but F&M began to come back with four minutes on the clock. Fiona Reckner made a free throw, followed by Gianna Modica connecting on a jumper to cut the deficit to five. After Salisbury made a layup, F&M came right back with four points from Reckner to get F&M within three. A pair of free throws from Modica reduced the Sea Gulls' lead to 14-13 after one quarter of play.

F&M grabbed it first lead of the night on a jumper from Lauren Rusas to start the second quarter with the Diplomats in front, 15-14. The teams traded baskets to bring the score to 27-27 with 4:41 remaining in the half. From that point, F&M raised the pressure on offense beginning with a jumper from Reckner to take the lead. Hailey Cabanas made a layup, followed by two free throws from Modica to extend the lead to six. Salisbury draining a three-pointer with seconds on the clock to cut F&M's advantage to 33-30 entering halftime.

Salisbury worked the game tied at 37-37 three minutes into the third quarter. From there, F&M started to find success in the paint with Kayla McCrea and Gia Sioutis both making layups to give the Diplomats a four-point advantage. Modica knocked down a jumper, followed by Sioutis connecting from mid-range to cushion the hosts' lead to 45-37. Salisbury began chipping away at the F&M lead, cutting the Diplomats advantage to 48-46 in the final minute. Lian Aviles drilled two free throws in the closing seconds to give F&M a four-point lead going into the final quarter.

Salisbury continued to attack the basket to start the fourth quarter, bringing the score to a 54-54 tie with 3:39 on the clock. From there, Salisbury scored six-consecutive points to take a 69-54 lead in the final minute of regulation. Sioutis knocked down a jumper to get F&M within four, but F&M's comeback effort would fall short as the Sea Gulls held onto the victory.

Despite shooting 38.1 percent (24-of-63) from the field, F&M struggled from beyond the arc as the Diplomats connected on 1-of-19 of their three-point attempts. Salisbury also outrebounded Franklin & Marshall, 38-34, in the contest.

Modica led the Diplomats with a career-high 13 points and four rebounds off the bench. Sioutis tallied 10 points and four rebounds, while Lizzie Neville recorded eight points and four steals in the game. Reckner ended her night with seven points and five rebounds in the contest.

F&M wrapped up its 2025-26 non-conference slate with a 7-4 record against non-Centennial foes.

Franklin & Marshall gears up for Senior Day against Bryn Mawr on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.