The Virginia Wesleyan University men's basketball team (7-4, 2-0 ODAC) suffered a tough 71-69 home loss to Franklin and Marshall College (10-1) on Saturday, January 3rd.
Amari Moorer led the Marlins with 20 points, shooting 8-for-18 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free throw line, while adding five rebounds, and one steal. Omari Deveaux also scored 20 points, shooting 8-for-13 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the free throw line, along with seven rebounds. T.J. East added 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting and contributed three rebounds, and two steals.
Both teams opened the game trading baskets in the early minutes before the Marlins pulled ahead with a 17-10 run to take a 17-10 lead at the 14:04 mark. Franklin and Marshall answered with an 8-4 run to tie the game 23-23 with 7:20 remaining in the half. The teams continued to go back and forth, and after an even 13-13 run to close the half, the Diplomats took a narrow 42-40 lead into halftime.
The second half mirrored the first, with both teams battling for possession. The Marlins had a 15-13 run to tie the game at 55-55 with 10:57 left to play. Over the next several minutes, the two teams were neck-and-neck and were tied at 65 all with 4:40 remaining in the game. VWU went on a 4-0 run to take a 69-65 lead in the game at the 3:26 mark. Neither team scored until 1:42 in the game that sparks and F&M 4-0 run to tie the game at 69-69 with 1:01 left in the half. The Marlins had possession and ran the clock down to 35 seconds where they missed a jumper to give the ball back to the visitors. The Diplomats, had what could be their last possession, missed a layup with four seconds left, Moorer grabbed the rebound but turned the ball over. With one second remaining, a Franklin and Marshall player hit a jumper to seal the 71-69 victory.
