The Muhlenberg men's basketball team suffered a 70-67 Senior Day loss to Franklin & Marshall in its final scheduled home game.

Despite the setback, the Mules (16-7, 9-7) clinched a Centennial Conference playoff berth, their first since 2014, because of other results from the weekend. With two games remaining in the regular season, Muhlenberg is in fourth place, two games behind third-place Haverford and two ahead of fifth-place Ursinus, and is likely to host a first-round playoff game on Tuesday, February 25.

Prior to the game, the Mules honored their lone senior, Matt Gnias, who celebrated his day by scoring a game-high 22 points. He tied a career high with five three-pointers, moving into a tie for ninth on the program's all-time list with 127 for his career.

Muhlenberg opened up a 17-7 lead in the first half but went on a scoring drought of more than seven minutes while the Diplomats (10-13, 6-10) went on a 15-0 run. A late three gave F&M a 31-29 lead at the halftime break.

Gnias scored five points in a 13-2 run to open the second half, and a deep three-pointer by sophomore Nate Henty Brown at the 13:17 mark put the Mules ahead by 10 once more.

Again the Diplomats came back, taking a 65-64 lead on a layup with 2:24 remaining. A three by Gnias on the next possession made it 67-65, but Muhlenberg did not score again.

F&M went ahead for good on a three-point play with 1:41 left on the clock and added a pair of late free throws.