In a game the Lions nearly locked up on numerous occasions, the Albright College men's basketball team fell 95-92 in a double-overtime thriller to visiting Franklin & Marshall on Tuesday.

Albright led by five within the final three minutes of regulation, and then by at least that much in each of the two overtime sessions.

Leading 71-66 with 2:17 remaining, the Lions had a golden chance to extend the gap but committed an unforced turnover on the fast break. Calvert Gantz could had given Albright an eight-point lead with 1:07 left in the first overtime, but his layup rolled out.

Devin Figueroa sank a three-pointer for Franklin & Marshall with 1:19 remaining in regulation after nearly committing a double-dribble. Terrel Phelps then tied it at 75-75 in the final seconds with a tough three-pointer in a defender's face.

After the Lions couldn't extend their six-point lead in the first extra period, Matt Porter drained a three-pointer and Phelps added two free throws with 13 seconds left.

With one second remaining and Albright ahead 85-84, Pedro Perez was called for hacking Phelps when the F&M guard was under pressure. He hit one shot to send the game to double-OT, but missed the second with a chance to win.

The Lions were also hurt by a pair of free throw misses within the final minute of both regulation and the first overtime.

Yet again Albright jumped into a lead in overtime #2. Sameen Swint opened up with a triple, and Perez' put-back made it 92-87 with 4:06 on the clock.

F&M chipped away for a third time, finally taking the lead on Morgan Lee's basket with 1:45 remaining. After a late offensive rebound, the Diplomats stretched their lead to 95-92 on Porter's jumper. A desperation three from Perez at the buzzer missed.

Perez finished with a career-high 28 points on 9-of-20 shooting, and added 11 rebounds for a double-double. Swint had 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, and Kyle Jordan added 13 points before fouling out late in the second half.

Perez and Jordan had made consecutive fast break layups earlier in the second half to give Albright a 62-57 lead heading down the stretch.

The Lions trailed by 10 at one point in the first half, and tied it late before going into the break down 41-39. The Red and White shot 61.9% in the opening period but committed 10 more turnovers than their opponents.

Porter stole a pass and went coast-to-coast to make it 16-9 Diplomats, and Cedric Moune then blocked a shot and posted up at the other end for two more F&M points. Jon Salandra's dunk gave the visitors a 24-16 advantage midway through the first half.

Perez pulled up for three on the fast break to cut the deficit to 26-21, and Evan Ward's putback brought the Lions to within one, 30-29. Ward then swatted a shot and finished the fast break at the other end to tie the contest at 32-all.

Three Dips went over the 20-point mark for the visitors- Porter (26), Phelps (25) and Salandra (20).

Albright falls to 3-5 with the tough loss, and will resume on December 29 against York in the Lions' Holiday Tournament. Franklin & Marshall, who has made the Elite Eight three times in the past five seasons, is 5-4 on the year.