LANCASTER, PA. - The Ursinus College women's basketball team traveled to Centennial Conference opponent Franklin and Marshall on Tuesday evening. After a slow start, a Bears comeback fell short against a stout Diplomats squad 54-45.

The Diplomats jumped out to an early 14-8 lead in the first quarter after Natalie Kolb and Makenzie Bradley combined for ten points. The Bears got off to a slow start, only shooting 28.6% (4-14) from the field in the first quarter. Chinwe Irondi lead the Bears in the first quarter, scoring 4 points and pulling down 3 rebounds.  

The Diplomats carried the momentum in the second quarter outscoring Ursinus 16-5. The Bears struggled on the offensive end with seven turnovers in the second quarter allowing F&M to jump out to a 30-13 lead at halftime.  

The Bears would come alive in the second half outscoring the Diplomats 32-24. In the third quarter, Irondi shot 5-6 from the field, dropping 10 points while grabbing 4 rebounds. Gabby Downs and Alison Lisanti both knocked down 3-pointers in the quarter to cut the deficit to 11.  

Kelly Grant and Irondi would combine for ten points and four steals in the fourth quarter but would eventually fall to the Diplomats. Ironid would drop a season-high 21 points and pull down 10 rebounds in the defeat.  

The Bears will return to action next Tuesday as they host Muhlenberg for a 6PM start.