BOX SCORE

Lancaster, PA (Dec. 20, 2005) – Alvernia College senior Zach Straining (Paxtang, PA/Central Dauphin East) racked up a 16 point, 11 rebound double-double in a 78-73 loss at Franklin & Marshall Tuesday afternoon in non-conference men’s basketball action.  The Diplomats (6-3) scored 50 points after the intermission to turn a 29-28 halftime deficit into the 5-point win.

            Seniors Lamar Brickus (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) and Chris Talley (Royersford, PA/Spring Ford) also scored 16 points and Mike Brock (Royersford, PA/Spring Ford) reached double figures with 12 points on the strength of three, 3-point buckets.

            Trailing 60-50 with 7:26 left to play, Alvernia put together a 17-7 run to tie the score at 67-all with four minutes left.  F&M pushed the lead back to five points with a layup and one of its 10 3s.  Brock and junior guard Garrett Etzel (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin) combined for four straight points to pull Alvernia within one, 72-71.

            F&M senior Brandon Smith, who tallied a game-high 27 points, hit three of four free throws over the next 90 seconds to push the lead to four and Talley’s jumper with 21 seconds left was the final scoring for the Crusaders.

            Alvernia (5-3) will be off for the winter break and return to action January 4 at Immaculata.

Franklin & Marshall 78, Alvernia 73