Historically, following a 103-79 win over Muhlenberg College in Mayser on January 11, the Diplomats have posted 196 or more points in consecutive games for the first time since the 1996 team downed Gettysburg 79-67 for the Centennial Conference title in Mayser on February 24, 1996 and Salisbury 118-69 in Mayser during the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on February 29, 1996 for 197 points.
Against Swarthmore (2-11, 1-5 Centennial Conference), F&M never trailed and were tied at 0-0 and 2-2 before running off a 7-0 spurt to take a 9-2 lead before Swarthmore’s Dillon McGrew hit a three pointer to pull the Garnet Tide to within four points. F&M responded with an 8-0 run for a 17-7 lead as Swarthmore failed to trim the margin to 10 points the remainder of the game.
Leading 46-19 at halftime, F&M continued to roll as the Diplomats outscored the Garnet Tide 47-32 over the last twenty minutes of play for the 42-point victory.
The win marks the largest margin of victory for Franklin & Marshall since the Diplomats recorded a 97-54 win at Swarthmore on January 31, 2004 after edging the Tide 87-77 on January 16 in Lancaster.
For F&M, guard Jackiem Wright finished with a game high 14 points with six assists and two steals, while point guards Brandon Chasen and Logan Outerbridge chipped in 12 points apiece and forward Bryan Teschke added 11 points and four blocked shots to pace the team.
Ian McCormick led Swarthmore with 14 points and six rebounds, while Centennial Conference leading scorer Matt Gustafson was held to eight points, all in the second half, to finish 17 points off his conference leading pace of 25.1 points per game.
Overall, the Diplomats converted 57.1% (36-of-63) from the field, 52.9% (nine-of-17) from beyond the arc and 75.0% (12-of-16) at the charity stripe, while Swarthmore made 32.7% (17-of-52) from the field, 28.6% (two-of-seven) from beyond the arc and 83.3% (15-of-18) at the free throw line.
Franklin & Marshall (9-3, 5-1 CC) will continue the season on January 15 at Washington in Centennial Conference action. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.