By Jamie Belfer || Sports Editor
The Diplomats have battled against many tough competitors in the 2019-2020 season, their most staggering win being a complete 74-24 domination over Bryn Mawr. The Diplomats also defeated Colby 51-50 in the final minute of the game. After their comeback victory against McDaniel, they earned an 8-12 record overall and 6-9 record in the Centennial Conference.
The Diplomats travelled to face McDaniel on Tuesday, February 4th. The Green Terror came out strong, outscoring the Diplomats 9-0 within the first five minutes of the game. With a few turnovers and missed shots, the Diplomats struggled to establish a rhythm. Sarosha Parsons scored the first point of the game for the Diplomats on a free throw. Kenna Williams soon followed with a layup, making the score 3-11. Befuddled by the McDaniel defense, F&M was down 3-15 at the end of the quarter.
The Green Terror once again dominated at the start of the second quarter, gaining an 18 point lead of 5-23. However, the Diplomats went on a 13-0 run to work their way back to a 5-point deficit of 18-23. Kristin Hamill and Kenna Williams lead the charge with 6 and 4 points apiece. By the end of the second quarter, the Diplomats continued to rally and ended the half trailing the Green Terror 22-25.
Hamill scored the first basket of the third quarter for the Diplomats. The Green Terror responded with two points to make the score 24-27. After another one of Hamill’s shots sunk, F&M had their closest lead of the night as they were within one point of the Green Terror. With help from Emily Moran and Parsons, the Diplomats continued to stay within one to three points of McDaniel. F&M took their first lead of the game after two made free throws from Hamill, who put the Diplomats up 34-33. By the end of the third quarter, the Diplomats remained ahead with a 41-40 lead.
At the start of the fourth quarter, it seemed that the game would come down to the wire. Williams put the Diplomats up 43-40 with a made layup to start the quarter. After the Green Terror quickly responded with 2 points, a big offensive rebound and putback by Maia Lockhart allowed the Diplomats to maintain a 45-42 lead. Hammill added another eight consecutive baskets to put F&M up 53-46. At this point, the Diplomats seemed to be in control. With a minute left in the game, the Diplomats led 60-51, their largest lead of the night. McDaniel took a timeout to regroup but lacked the momentum to battle back. The Diplomats’ fourth quarter surge earned them a 60-51 victory.
Williams earned a double-double with 19 rebounds and 16 points. Hammill also earned a double- double with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Parsons led with four steals. The Diplomats will look to carry this momentum as they face off against Bryn Mawr on Wednesday, February 12th at home in Mayser Gymnasium.
Sophomore Jamie Belfer is the Sports Editor. Her email is jbelfer@fandm.edu.