LANCASTER, Pa.-- After a tight first half, the Elizabethtown men's basketball team fell, 50-79 at Franklin & Marshall, Wednesday evening. 

Rance Russo and Dylan Rowe got Elizabethtown out to a 9-5 lead over Franklin & Marshall. After some back and forth, Reese Ziegler drained a three at the 13 minute mark, bringing Etown out to a 12-10 lead. The Diplomats dropped in three straight three-pointers to take the lead with eight minutes remaining in the half. Alon Gorham made a jumper about a minute later to bring the Jays back within three of F&M. Through the remainder of the half, the two teams traded free throws keeping the score close. Going into halftime, Franklin & Marshall led, 35-31. 

Coming out of the half, the Diplomats started off strong as they pulled out to a 45-32 lead. After a made free throw by Austin Finarelli, F&M gained momentum as they extended their lead by 19 points. Russo, Gorham and Ziegler kept Etown within 19 of F&M as the Diplomats led 41-60 with seven minutes remaining. Two straight layups from Franklin & Marshall put them ahead by 24. Chauncey Presley added four free throws to bring the score to 47-68. With 20 seconds remaining, F&M knocked down two final free throws to win 79-50. 

Ziegler led the team from the bench with nine points. Russo tallied seven points and grabbed three rebounds while Rowe, Gorham, and Presley totaled six. 

Elizabethtown returns home this Saturday, November 18th at 2PM as they face King's (Pa.).