Wright On: Diplomats Set New Three-Point Records in 100-68 Win Over Albright in Men's Hoops

by Sports Information
12/3/01

LANCASTER, PA - Guard Jakiem Wright (So., Sicklerville, NJ/Moorestown) knocked down seven-of-nine field goal attempts, including four-of-six from three-point range, for a team high 18 points as the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats (8-0, 1-0 Centennial Conference) downed Albright College (1-5, 0-0 MAC Commonwealth), 100-68, in non-conference basketball at the Mayser Center.

Overall, Wright would hit four-of-five from long range in the first half, as the Diplomats set a pair of new school records with 14 three-point shots off 28 attempts.

In addition to Wright, six other Diplomats would connect for three-pointers as Duran Searles (So., Camden, NJ/Peddie School) drained two-of-eight, Asaf Ganot (Jr., Tenafly, NJ/Tenafly) stroked in one-of-two, Cas Thomas (Sr., Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) fired in two-of-three, Alex Kraft (Sr., Lansdale, PA/Lansdale Catholic) was a perfect one-of-one, Maurice Dozier (Sr., Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) sliced in three-of-three and Larry Fain (Sr., Crum Lynne, PA/Chester) knocked down one-of-four.

The performance shattered the previous record for most three-point shots in a game set by the Diplomats in a November 18, 1990 game versus Swarthmore in which F&M converted 12-of-25 attempts. In addition, the team's 28 attempts tonight tied the record for most tries in a game from a pair of contests on February 19. On February 19, 1992, the blue and white made 8-of-28 versus Muhlenberg, and repeated the feat with 10-of-28 two years to the day versus Washington.

Statistically, F&M dominated the game as they connected on 15-of-30 field goal attempts in the first half, 9-of-16 three-pointers and three-of-four from the free-throw line to build a 42-27 lead at the half.

In the first half, the Diplomats built a 7-0 lead behind a jump shot and three pointer from Ganot and a lay-up by Steve Juskin (So., East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park). However, Albright would go on a 12-4 run to take a 12-11 lead capped by a three-point shot from Corey Rich.

The points would awaken F&M's offense as Wright scored the first of his four first half three-point shots at 11:21 to put F&M up 14-12 before the Lions' Terron Buchanon put Albright up by one at 15-14 with a three 19 seconds later.

Buchanon's points would be all the Lions would score for the next three minutes as the Diplomats ran off nine straight points, highlighted by back-to-back three-point shots by Wright and Dozier, to build a 23-15 lead which Albright would never challenge the rest of the way.

Defensively, F&M held the Lions offense in check most of the game allowing the Lions nine assists on 25 baskets and eight offensive rebounds, while garnering 20 turnovers and 13 steals.

Overall, three Diplomats registered double figures in scoring as Wright tallied 18, while Fain and Kraft chipped in 12 and 14 points, respectively.

Kraft, who was named to the Centennial Conference Weekly Honor Roll prior to the opening tip-off, inched closer to moving into the top four scorers in the history of the College as he now has 1,372 career points, 130 behind two-time All-American Jeremiah Henry '96, who registered 1,502 points. Donnie Marsh '79 holds the all-time scoring record at F&M with 1,695 points.

On the boards, Juskin was the high man for Franklin & Marshall pulling down seven boards to lead the team as they out-rebounded Albright 41-27, including a 13-8 advantage on the offensive glass.

For the Lions, Terron Buchanon was the game's high scorer with 20 points off an 8-of-16 performance from the field, while Steve Pidhirsky registered a game high nine rebounds.

Franklin & Marshall will continue the season at home in the Mayser Center on Wednesday night with a 7:30 p.m. game versus Centennial Conference foe Western Maryland before hosting Salisbury State on Saturday, December 8th at 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.