The Muhlenberg men's basketball team rallied twice in the second half, but ultimately fell short, 76-70, at Franklin & Marshall.
 
The Mules (12-11, 9-7 CC) own a one-game lead over the Diplomats (14-9, 8-8 CC) for the fourth seed in the Centennial Conference playoff picture. Muhlenberg sits two games behind its next opponent, Ursinus, for the third seed.
 
The Diplomats built a two-point halftime lead to 13-point lead (48-35) over the first 5:52 of the second half. Muhlenberg answered with the next 10 points to cut the deficit to just three with 10:28 left, before the hosts rebuilt their lead to as many as 12 (68-56) with 3:52 remaining.
 
Senior Erik Werheim and freshman Dan Gaines combined for the next eight points over the next minute and a half to cut the deficit to 68-62. After the Diplomats extended the lead to 74-64 with 42 seconds left, Gaines knocked down a pair the threes to pull the Mules within five with 6.6 seconds left but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback.
 
Junior Matt Gnias (pictured above) led Muhlenberg with 20 points – his fourth 20-plus point game of the season. Joining him in double figures was Gaines - who scored all 14 of his points in the second half – Weheim (10 points) and freshman Noah Watson (10 points).