Lancaster, Pa. (November 12) – Franklin & Marshall College raced out to a 17-2 lead over the first ten minutes of tonight's game and never looked back as the host Diplomats topped FDU-Florham men's basketball, 77-55, on the first day of the 2021 William Marshall Tournament.
 
Oliver Ortman (North Caldwell, NJ) made a layup 1:21 into the contest and Brian Nichols (Roxbury, NJ)made a three point jumper eight minutes later as those were the only two shots the Devils, who trailed 17-5, were able to make over the opening ten minutes of the contest.

FDU starting hitting its shots from behind the arc and eventually cut its deficit to single digits following made deep shots by Gerard Nicholson (Staten Island, NY), Nichols and Shawn Summers Jr. (Montclair, NJ). A free throw by Michael Dabas (Middletown, NJ) late in the first half made the score 36-28 in favor of the host Diplomats at the break.
 
The Devils looked as though they would be able to take their first lead of the game following a deep three by Nicholson just 3:02 into the second half as the score stood at 39-36, but Franklin & Marshall went on a 15-2 run that spanned five minutes to push its advantage back up to double digits at 56-41.

With five minutes remaining in regulation, a layup by Mark Suchy pushed Franklin & Marshall's lead to 20 at 68-48. Both teams scored seven points down the stretch as the host Diplomats took the non-conference tournament opener by a 77-55 final.

Three Devils notched nine points in tonight's contest including Ortman who came up one point and one rebound shy of his second consecutive double double, Nichols and Nicholson. As a team, FDU shot 19-for-49 (38.8-percent) from the floor, 13-for-32 (40.6-percent) from behind the arc and 4-for-8 (50.0-percent) from the line.
 
Franklin & Marshall held statistical advantages in rebounds (43-25), assists (16-12) and steals (14-2).
 
FDU (1-1) will play Baruch College (0-2) in the consolation finals of the 2021 William Marshall Tournament tomorrow afternoon at 5:30 pm inside Mayser Gymnasium.

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