The Muhlenberg men's basketball team suffered a tough loss when Franklin & Marshall hit a buzzer-beater at the end of overtime.

The 74-72 loss spoiled a historic day for sophomore Dan Gaines, who scored a career-high 31 points. Coming just three days after a 30-point effort in a home win against Ursinus, it made Gaines only the fourth player in program history to record back-to-back 30-point games. The others were Dennis Adams (1993-94), Mike Bernardini (2007-08) and Malique Killing (three straight in 2013-14).

Neither team led by more than six points in the tightly contested game. The Diplomats (7-8, 3-5) overcame a three-point halftime deficit to take a 63-58 lead with 2:15 on the second-half clock, but the Mules (11-4, 4-4) did not allow another point in regulation.

A layup by Gaines made it 63-60, and with 11.5 seconds left, sophomore Nate Henty Brown drained three free throws to tie the score. Henty Brown also deflected a pass on the other end, preventing F&M from attempting a potential game-winning shot.

Gaines (pictured above) beat the shot clock for a three-point play to give the Mules their first points of overtime, then fed senior Matt Gnias for a corner three and a 69-67 lead with 1:18 to play. The Diplomats tied the score on their next possession and went ahead 72-69 on a three-pointer with 24.0 seconds left.

Gaines again hit a big shot, nailing a three from the wing with 10.8 seconds showing to tie the score again. But a contested elbow jumper by the Diplomats bounced off the rim and in at the buzzer, sending Muhlenberg to its 22nd consecutive loss in Lancaster.

Gaines scored 23 of his 31 points in the second half and overtime and added 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Gnias and freshman Justin Allen scored 12 points apiece.