Diplomats Charge Past Women's Basketball, 85-70

SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Despite a 34-32 halftime lead by the Swarthmore women's basketball team (4-7, 2-5 CC), Franklin & Marshall's 14-0 scoring run to start the second half proved to be the turning point as the Diplomats (9-3, 6-1 CC) cruised to an 85-70 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Garnet sophomore Katie Lytle led all players with a double-double performance, throwing down 19 points and 10 rebounds.

It was all about the second half for the Dips who matched is first half total of 32 points only 12 minutes into the second half while the Swarthmore offense was stagnant, shooting only two-for-16 from the field over the first 15 minutes of the second half. 

Senior Genny Pezzola made Swat's first two baskets, draining a pair of threes.  Pezzola finished the game with 12 points, going three-for-six from behind the arc. 

Swarthmore got off to a good start in the first half, going on a 7-0 scoring run thanks to junior Eliza Polli who drained a three, picked up a steal on the Dips' inbound, stepped back, and nailed another three-pointer to put the Garnet up 9-4 and force a F&M timeout.  Polli had eight points in the game. 

The Garnet saw its biggest lead of seven two minutes later but it was a battle on the hardwood throughout the remainder of the half as tempers on both sides were flaring. 

Three tie scores and three lead changes later, Swarthmore held on to take its 34-32 first half lead into the locker room. 

Freshman Elle Larson continued her already stellar freshman campaign with 14 points and eight rebounds.

Franklin & Marshall's Kristina McCarthy led her team with 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the Dips to its sixth Centennial Conference win of the season. 

The Swarthmore women's basketball team returns to the court on Tuesday when it hosts Centennial opponent McDaniel in Tarble Pavilion.  Play is slated to begin at 6:00 PM.