Jan. 26, 2008

Box Score

WESTMINSTER, Md. - McDaniel scored nine of its 15 points from the free-throw line in overtime, including a 5-for-5 performance from Ryan Finch in the final 35 seconds to defeat Franklin & Marshall 82-78 in Centennial Conference (CC) men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon.

The Green Terror (12-5, 7-3 CC) held a 26-12 advantage in points from the charity stripe in the game, making every one count in overtime to complete the season sweep over the Diplomats (10-7, 5-5 CC). The win marks the first time McDaniel has won three in a row against F&M since winning four between 1960 and 1963.

Brett Foelber recorded a double-double with game highs of 25 points and 11 boards, while Kevin Henry finished with 17 points.

F&M's James McNally scored 10 of his 22 points in overtime, matching his career high and adding eight rebounds.

The Diplomats erased a nine-point deficit with a 12-2 run over the final minute and a half, knotting the game at 67-all to force overtime thanks to a Mitch Rhyner three-pointer at the buzzer.

Down 65-56, Rhyner drove in for the layup and Daniel Selig made consecutive free throws to cut the lead to 65-60. Miguel Jones made one of two from the charity stripe and Selig hit the back end of two shots from the line.

McDaniel got a free throw from Henry with 18 seconds on the clock, before Chris Sullivan knocked down a trey and Selig made the steal off a Green Terror turnover with one second remaining to make it 67-64.

Both teams took a timeout, before Rhyner took the in-bounce pass in the corner and swished a three-pointer to even the score at 67-all with no time left in regulation.

McDaniel never trailed in the extra five-minute period, getting two jumpers from Robert Koebke to start. Miguel Jones got a layup to make it 73-71 and Foelber made two from the line to take a four-point lead.

McNally tallied the first 10 points for the Diplomats and Rhyner made another one from behind the arc with 24 second left to get within two at 80-78, but Finch completed his perfect showing from the line with two more shots for the final margin.

F&M shot 50.8 percent for the game, including 54.2 percent (13-for-24) in the first half to take a 31-25 lead at halftime. The Diplomats started on a 17-5 run for their biggest advantage in the game and kept the lead throughout the first half. The Green Terror went on a 5-0 burst in the final 2:55 with Henry draining a three-pointer with four seconds until intermission.

F&M completes its three-game road stretch at Dickinson on Wednesday. Game time is 8 p.m.