NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Franklin & Marshall defeated host Christopher Newport 66-52 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Diplomats will face Ramapo in the Sweet 16 at a site and time to be determined. The trip will be the Diplomats 17th appearance in the Round of 16 and first since 2012.
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Christopher Newport had an early 11-8 lead six minutes into the game, before the Diplomats outscored CNU 9-3 over the next four minutes and took a 17-14 lead at 10:27. The Captains countered and netted six straight for a three-point lead, 20-17, at 9:33. Three lead changes ensued over the next few minutes with F&M holding onto a 26-25 lead. The Captains netted six straight to go back on top and F&M scored the final four points of the half and trailed 31-30 at the break.
F&M opened the second with an 8-3 spurt with four points from Matt Redhead that gave the Diplomats a 38-34 lead at 15:05. The Captains hit a three on their next possession and F&M answered with a 6-0 run for a 44-37 edge. CNU came within four at 10:26 and F&M went up nine, 49-40, at 6:46, before the Captains made a push to make it 49-46 at 5:14.
The Diplomats answered with a 7-0 run over the next three minutes and went up 10, 56-46, at 2:26. CNU came within eight at 1:31 and F&M went 6-for-6 from line for a 12-point edge and J.C. McGrath slammed a full-court pass from Federici with five ticks for the exclamation point.
Brandon Federici scored a game-high 19 points and hauled in eight rebounds for F&M. Ignas Slyka netted 14 with three steals and Matthew Tate finished in double-figures with 11 points and eight rebounds. J.C. McGrath had nine points with eight boards while Lionel Owona pulled down eight rebounds and Matt Redhead chipped in six points.
F&M held a 45-32 advantage on the glass and converted 23 offensive boards into 19 second-chance points.