Women's Basketball Edges Washington :: Meisenberg, Menna secure win for Diplomats in final minute

Feb. 9, 2008

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Sarah Meisenberg scored a team-high 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to lead Franklin & Marshall over Washington 60-58 in Centennial Conference (CC) women's basketball action on Saturday.

Meisenberg, who hit the game-winning layup in the win over Johns Hopkins, broke a 56-all tie with a layup with 39 seconds left to play and Alison Menna sealed the win for the Diplomats (15-6, 10-4 CC) with a fast-break layup with 10 ticks on the clock. Menna recorded with a season-high 14 rebounds and eight points.

Brianne Slizofski led the Shorewomen (9-13, 6-9 CC) with 20 points and five rebounds. Washington made nine three-pointers on the afternoon, getting five from Jane O'Donnell. O'Donnell finished with 17 points.

F&M grabbed a double-digit lead in the first five minutes of the second half, getting points from five different players to make it 41-29. From there, Washington went on a 17-2 run over the next four minutes, 13 seconds to take the lead they last had at the 18:17 mark of the first half.

O'Donnell tallied eight points and Slizofski added seven during the spurt.

Meisenberg recorded the next four points, hitting a jumper and two free throws to make it 48-46 with 8:51 remaining. Jessycka Wilson tied the game at 48-all with a layup and on the next possession Beth Holt answered with a three-pointer for a 51-48 lead.

The Diplomats took a 56-52 lead after Cara Landolfi layup, but Brenda Lucas went 1-for-2 from the line and Slizofski drained the Shoremen's ninth trey to even it at 56-all.

In the first half, F&M took its largest lead at 18-10 at the 11:13 mark. Washington battled back to break even at 20-all, but the Diplomats answered with an 8-0 run to end the half for a 32-26 edge.

F&M held a 45-32 advantage on the boards and shot 70 percent from the charity stripe. With the win, the Diplomats take over sole possession of third place in the conference. Holt ended with 13 points and Landolfi tallied 12.

F&M returns to action on Tuesday against Ursinus. Game time is 7 p.m.