Feb. 13, 2008

Box Score

LANCASTER, Pa. - Matt Hilton went 7-for-9 from the field for a team-high 21 points, while John Noonan drained six three-pointers for 20 points to lead No. 19 Ursinus past Franklin & Marshall 77-60 in Centennial Conference (CC) men's basketball action on Wednesday night.

The Bears (20-2, 15-0 CC) shot 71.4 percent from behind the arc, connecting on 15 of 21 shots including five from Hilton and six from Noonan to remain in first place and undefeated in conference play. Nick Shattuck was the third player in double figures with 19 points.

James McNally recorded his fourth double-double of the season with a team-high 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Diplomats (12-10, 7-8 CC). Derek Hines tallied 16 points, including 14 off the bench in just nine minutes in the first half.

Ursinus outscored F&M 42-29 in the second half, turning a four-point halftime lead into a double-digit lead in the first six minutes that would never relinquish.

Shattuck and Hilton combined for the first 16 points of the second half to give Ursinus a 51-36 lead at the 12:23 mark. Shattuck contributed six points and Hilton recorded 10.

The Bears took a 20-point lead after Michael Shema got the layup and Shattuck followed with a three pointer. The Diplomats inched their way closer thanks to eight straight points from McNally over a two-minute span to make it 63-53, but Noonan nailed back-to-back treys for a 73-56 lead with 3:12 to play.

In the first half, Ursinus took a 12-5 lead with all of the points recorded from behind the arc to force an F&M timeout. After the break, the Diplomats went on an 8-2 run to get within 14-13, but Shattuck made two from the line and Hilton drained another three to make it 19-15.

F&M cut the lead to 30-29 with 3:24 remaining on a good Anthony Brooks jumper, however, the next five points belonged to the Bears and McNally was able to get a last-second layup in for a 35-31 halftime score.

With the win, Ursinus' head coach Kevin Small became the all-time winningest coach with 136 victories in just eight seasons. It also marked his 100th conference win.

Shema finished with a game-high seven blocks for the Bears, while Brooks dished out a game-high five assists for the Diplomats.

F&M returns to action on Saturday at Haverford. Game time is 2 p.m.