CHESTERTOWN, Md. – Visiting Franklin & Marshall raced out to a 29-9 first half lead on its way to an 82-71 victory over host Washington College on Thursday evening in Centennial Conference men's basketball action on Finnegan Court at Penny J. Fall Gymnasium.  The Diplomats improve to 11-3 overall and 6-1 in the Centennial, while the Shoremen drop to 3-11 and 1-6 respectively.

Franklin & Marshall 82 Washington College 71

How It Happened
- Omar Nichols drained a three with 7:00 to go in the first half to cap the game-opening 29-9 run for the Diplomats.
- Washington was able to counter with a 17-10 answer to cut the Franklin & Marshall lead to 39-26 at halftime. 
- In the second half, the Shoremen scored 14 of the first 23 points to trim the visitors' lead to 48-40 with 12:18 left on a Jason Zielinski triple.
- That's as close as the home team would get as F&M netted 15 of the next 17 points to take a 63-42 lead with 8:23 left on a Nichols three. 
- The Diplomats would lead by as many as 23, 80-57, before the Shoremen went on a 14-2 run to close the game and provide the final margin.

For The Shoremen (3-11, 1-6 CC)
- Kedrick Frink (game-highs of 18 points and nine rebounds; four assists), Zielinski (17 points), Paul Rodolf (16 points and two steals), Zack Skrocki (14 points), Precieux Tshibangu (three blocks)
- The Shoremen shot 50% (23-for-46) from the floor, 50% (10-for-20) from three-point range and 75% (15-for-20) from the foul line. 
- Washington had 12 turnovers, leading to 23 F&M points.

For Franklin & Marshall (11-3, 6-1 CC)
- John Seidman (team-best 17 points and game-high 12 assists), Vakaris Grauslys (16 points), Nichols (14 points), Kevin Nowoswiat (seven rebounds)   
- The Diplomats shot 54% (30-for-56) from the floor, 45% (13-for-29) from three-point range and 60% (9-for-15) from the free throw stripe.    
- F&M outscored WC in second chance points, 7-1, and points in the paint, 34-14, while holding a 34-21 edge in rebounds.
- The Diplomats had 12 turnovers in the contest, contributing to 17 Shoremen points.

Notes
- Rodolf was named Goose Nation TV Shoreman Player of the Game. 
- Zielinski was a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor, including making all five three-pointers for his 17 points.
- Both teams scored 21 points off the bench and two transition points.

Up Next
1/13 @ Dickinson – 4:00 p.m. (Centennial Conference Game)