BOX SCORE

Lancaster, Pa. (Jan. 3, 2007) – Franklin & Marshall opened up early leads of 14-2 and 26-7 and held off Alvernia College for an 84-62 win in the championship game of the Sponaugle Men's Basketball New Year's Tournament Thursday evening at the Mayser Center.

Alvernia (4-5) cut the second-half deficit down to 11 points, 68-57, with 6:54 to play, but the Diplomats answered with eight straight points to salt away the win.

Junior forward Terrence Shawell (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) finished with 12 points and two rebounds and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Sophomore Matt King (Phoenixville, Pa./St. Pius X) led the Crusaders with 17 points and eight rebounds, and Zach Westmoreland (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) added 12 points, four assists, and four steals.

F&M opened up a 45-32 lead at the break behind a 59 percent effort from the floor including 7-of-10 from behind the 3-point arc. Alvernia, meanwhile, managed just one 3-point basket in each half finishing the game 2-for-14 from long range. F&M got a game-high 26 points from tournament MVP Brandon Chasen.

Alvernia is off until next Thursday when it travels to Ithaca, N.Y., to face Cornell University, the preseason favorite in the Ivy League.

Franklin & Marshall 84, Alvernia 62