Basketball

Franklin & Marshall College 53, Delaware Valley 44

BETHLEHEM (PA) - Franklin & Marshall College used a 30-20 second half to post 53-44 victory over Delaware Valley College in the opening round of the 5th annual STARTERS Moravian College Winter Classic.

The Aggies fell to 7-3 with the loss and will now play in Saturday's consolation game (1:00 p.m.) against Albany Coillege of Pharmacy. The Diplomats improved to 3-5.

Delaware Valley held a 24-23 advantage at halftime, but F&M opened the second stanza with a 12-2 run to take a 35-26 lead with 15:31 to play. Delaware Valley fired back with a layup by Kristen Bone and a free throw by Shannon O'Neill to slice the lead back to 35-29 with 12:45 to play, but four straight points by the Diplomats inched the lead out to 39-29 with 11:17 to play.

The Aggies came back as they countered with a 10-2 capped by a layup by McGowan to pull to within 41-39 with 7:49 left. F&M responded with a 6-0 run and a 45-39 lead, but back came Delaware Valley as Juli McGowan made a layup and O'Neill drilled a three-pointer at 2:21 to cut the lead back to 45-44. However, F& M scored the game's final eight points for the victory.

McGowan paced the Aggies with 12 points and six steals while O'Neill added nine points and seven assists. Rachel Joyce chipped in seven points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Sara Meisenberg had 16 points and 12 boards for the Diplomats while Dana Johns added 10 points in the win.