WESTMINSTER, Md. – Senior Matt Kearney scored a career-high 14 points off the bench to lead the McDaniel College men's basketball team in a 78-59 home loss to Franklin & Marshall on Saturday in the conference opener for both teams.

Kearney bested his previous career-high total of 12 points set on Nov. 11 against Central Penn in the season opener for the Green Terror (9-3, 0-1). He notched his third double-digit scoring effort of the season, having also scored 10 points in the team's previous contest at Immaculata on Jan. 5.

The Diplomats (12-1, 1-0) used a 44-point first half to take control of the contest. Franklin & Marshall knocked down 12 three-pointers in the first half on 21 attempts, making nearly 60 percent of its long-range shots.

After a free throw from junior Bruce Black tied the game at 9-9 with 13:49 left in the first half, the Diplomats hit three consecutive three-pointers to highlight a 12-0 run. Three more three-pointers made the score 32-11 with 6:01 to go, capping off a 23-2 run over a seven-minute stretch. Another three with 1:06 to play gave the visitors their largest lead of the half at 25, and F&M took a 44-22 advantage into the break.

The Green Terror battled back in the second half, outscoring the Diplomats 37-34 over the game's final 20 minutes. McDaniel ended the game on a 17-2 run, scoring 17 straight points until two F&M free throws resulted in the game's final points. Kearney scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half and the team connected on three triples to close the game.

Kearney and Black each finished with double figures with 14 and 13 points respectively while sophomore Ashenafi Stuart scored eight and first year Rece Bowser scored a career-best seven. 

The Green Terror will travel to Carlisle, Pa. on Wednesday to face Dickinson in the team's road conference opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 pm.