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WESTMINSTER, MD - The Franklin & Marshall men's basketball team claimed sole possession of second place in the Centennial Conference Western Division with a 78-57 romp at Western Maryland College. The Diplomats move into the runner-up spot courtesy 20 points from point guard Duran Searles (So., Camden, NJ/Peddie School) and a 68-65 win by #25 nationally ranked Gettysburg over Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. The game at Hopkins would be decided in dramatic fashion as Terence Callahan threw in a 50-foot shot at the buzzer to lift the Bullets over Hopkins. In F&M action against Western Maryland, Searles scorched the Green Terror for 15 first half points to spirit the Diplomats who built a 48-29 lead at the half and never looked back. Overall, Searles would drain 10-of-10 at the foul-line in the first 20 minutes, and chipped in a two-of-three performance from the floor, including one-of-one from beyond the arch, as the Diplomats decimated the Green Terror by shooting 57.1% (16-of-28) on field goals. In the second half, Steve Juskin (So., East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park) would take over the game scoring eight points, while Searles added five as the Diplomats outscored Western Maryland 30-28 down the stretch while converting 61.1% (11-of-18) of their attempts from the floor. For the game, F&M would shoot 58.7% (27-of-46) while limiting the Green Terror to a 37.9% shooting performance, including 11-of-31 in the second half. Jackiem Wright (So., Sicklerville, NJ/Moorestown Friends) chipped in 11 points, while All-American Alex Kraft (Sr., Lansdale, PA/Lansdale Catholic) added seven points and four rebounds. The 2000 and 2001 Centennial Conference Player of the Year, Kraft is quickly moving up the College's leader board with 1,504 points, as he surpassed the total of Jeremiah Henry (1,502) for fourth place all-time at the College. Further, he now has 659 rebounds, as he moved passed Ed Plakans '93 tonight and into 7th on the all time rebounding list at Franklin & Marshall. Historically, he is the fifth F&M player to rank in the top ten in both major categories, joining Chris Finch '92 (1,287 points, 638 rebounds), Phil Hoeker '89 (1,333 points, 661 rebounds), Dennis Westley '81 (1,357 points, 669 rebounds) and Terry Scott '88 (1,663 points, 964 rebounds). The Diplomats improve to 16-4 overall, 6-2 in the Centennial Conference. Jack Kowalik led Western Maryland with 15 points, while Teron Powell added a team high six rebounds. The win completes a season sweep by F&M over the Green Terror as the Diplomats defeated Western Maryland 75-47 on December 5 in the Mayser Center. Franklin & Marshall will look to improve upon its record on Saturday, as the Diplomats will play host to the Swarthmore College Garnet. Historically, Swarthmore has not won in the Mayser Center since 1972, the first year of Head Coach Glenn Robinson's 31-year tenure at Franklin & Marshall College. Opening tip is set for 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.
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