LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall scored 37 points in the second half to erase a five-point halftime deficit and defeat the McDaniel College men's basketball team 64-55 on Saturday.
 
The Green Terror (11-8, 1-6) battled in a back-and-forth first half with the Diplomats (17-2, 6-1) that saw four ties and 12 lead changes. A layup from senior Matt Kearney gave McDaniel a 13-12 lead with 10:16 left in the half, preceding a two-minute sequence that saw six lead changes alone. Junior Bruce Black tied the score at 21-21 at the 6:29 mark and tied it again on a jumper with 5:47 left. Consecutive baskets by senior David Kearney gave the Green Terror a four-point advantage and a three-pointer by junior Ryan Shaffer grew the lead to seven with 2:33 to go. The Diplomats scored late in the half to make the score 32-27 at the break.
 
Franklin & Marshall began the second half on a 6-2 run to take a one-point lead with 17:13 remaining. A pair of Black free throws swung the lead back to the visitors, kickstarting a 6-0 run that increased the McDaniel lead to 40-35. The Diplomats responded with an 8-0 run following a three-pointer at the 12:38 mark and later growing the lead to nine with 3:29 to go. Late baskets from Black kept the Green Terror alive but Franklin & Marshall closed the door with a game-sealing dunk with 33 seconds to play.
 
Kearney and Black led the scoring effort for McDaniel with 15 points each while sophomore Ashenafi Stuart scored 14 points in a season-high 40 minutes. Kearney also recorded seven rebounds and a career-high four blocks to go along with two steals on the defensive end.
 
Franklin & Marshall controlled the glass 32-24 and forced 13 McDaniel turnovers, converting those giveaways into 16 points. The Diplomats scored 15 second chance points and connected on five three-pointers compared to two for the Green Terror.
 
McDaniel returns to Westminster on Wednesday to face conference rival Washington College. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 pm from the Gill Center.