LANCASTER, Pa. – Ursinus got 18 points from Jon Ward (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) but, could not overcome a fast Franklin & Marshall start as the 22th-ranked Diplomats (16-4, 11-2 Centennial) handed Ursinus (8-12, 5-8 Centennial) a 69-61 loss in Lancaster Wednesday night.

Sophomore forward Kevin Janowski (New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt) added in 14 points, with senior guard Matt Hilton (Lewistown, Pa./Lewistown Area) scoring ten.

For Franklin & Marshall, senior forward Mike Baker had 21 points and 16 rebounds. The Diplomats raced out to a 16-1 lead 5:46 into the game, before Ursinus would eventually pull with seven at intermission at 38-31 as sophomore guard Matt Donahue (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) hit a three-pointer with four seconds to go in the half.

In the second half, Ursinus would hang around and get to within one at 48-47 with 10:51 left on a dunk by Ward. Howeve, F&M would go on a 7-0 run to take a 55-47 lead with 8:58 left a layup by sophomore guard Brandon Beckford.

After that point, Ursinus got five straight points from Hilton to get within three at 55-52 with 8:13 left in the game, but, could not close the gap

F&M had a 41-24 lead on the glass, with junior guard J.J. Rapczynski (Chadds Ford, Pa./Garnet Valley) picking up six for the Bears.

Ursinus heads to Gettysburg on Saturday.