Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

HAVERFORD, Pa. - Haverford shot 58 percent from the floor and 77 percent from the free-throw line, while having four players in double figures to defeat Franklin & Marshall 76-64 in Centennial Conference (CC) men's basketball action on Saturday.

The Diplomats (12-11, 7-9 CC) held a 42-39 scoring advantage in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome the 15-point deficit handed by the Fords (7-15, 5-11 CC) in the first half.

Chaz Thomas led Haverford with 19 points and five steals. Mike Fratangelo tallied 17 points and six assists, while Doug Edelman came off the bench for 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting.

James McNally finished with game highs of 23 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Brooks made all but one shot from the field for 13 points to go along with three steals and two assists.

F&M took the early 7-4 lead behind a Mike Baker and five straight points from McNally, but the Fords used a 16-2 run over an eight-minute span to grab a 20-9 lead at the 8:40 mark.

Daniel Selig halted the run with a jumper at 8:14. Haverford continued to build on its lead and outscored the Diplomats 17-11, only missing three shots from the floor to finish out the half with a 37-22 lead.

In the second half, the Fords pulled out to as much as a 30-point lead on two occasions. F&M did not back down and attempted a comeback, holding a 24-13 scoring advantage in the remaining 11 minutes of the game. Brooks recorded five of his 13 points in the final 10 seconds with a jumper, steal and three-point play.

With one playoff spot up for grabs, the Diplomats remain tied for sixth with Dickinson and is one game behind fifth-place Muhlenberg.

F&M returns to action on Wednesday against Gettysburg. Game time is 8 p.m.