CHESTERTOWN, Md. – Alexa Barbush paced Franklin & Marshall with a game-high 25 points en route to a 70-56 victory over Washington College in Centennial Conference (CC) women's basketball action Monday night. The Diplomats improved to 14-6, 11-4 CC while the Shorewomen fell to 11-8, 6-8 CC losing their third consecutive game.

F&M grabbed an early lead, 9-4, just six minutes into the contest before Washington responded with an 8-3 run to tie the game at 12 with 12:41 remaining in the half. There were eight lead changes and two more ties through the next eight minutes, before the Diplomats pulled away going on a 12-2 run that spanned over the last four minutes of the half to put F&M up by 10 at the break, 32-22.

Washington put up its best fight in the opening minutes of the second half staying within striking distance of the Diplomats. The Shorewomen went on a 13-5 run that brought them within a basket, 39-37,  of F&M at the 12:49 mark before Alexa Barbush caught fire notching 12 points in the last 11 minutes of play.  

F&M took its first double-digit lead, since the opening minutes of the half with 6:32 remaining when Colleen Bott forced the turnover by Claire Mattox and Barbush converted a lay-up to go up by 11, 55-44. The Diplomats maintained their double-digit lead through the remainder of the half, leading by as many as 17.

In addition to her game-high points, Barbush contributed six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Kristina McCarthy and Allison Bauer also hit double-figures, McCarthy finished with 11 and Bauer dropped in 10. Megan Pauley pulled down seven boards while Emma Lisle came off the bench with eight points and seven rebounds.

Sally O'Donnell and Latisha Pledger both netted team-high 15 points. Pledger picked up a double-double with 13 rebounds. Meghan Tait had an all around night for the Shorewomen contributing nine points, 11 boards, and five assists.

F&M returns to action on Saturday when the Diplomats travel to Muhlenberg for 2:00 p.m. tip-off.