Hot shooting in the first half by nationally ranked Franklin & Marshall was the difference as the Muhlenberg men's basketball team dropped its second-to-last home game of the year, 74-55.

Despite the loss, the Mules (11-11, 4-6) are tied with McDaniel - the opponent in their final home game next Saturday - in the race for the sixth and final Centennial Conference playoff berth.

The Diplomats (19-3, 8-2) made three three-pointers in an early 15-0 run and shot 9-of-15 from beyond the arc in the first half despite entering the game second from the bottom in the CC in three-point percentage.

F&M, whice is the defending CC champion and ranked 24th in Division III, led 42-21 at the break and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

Muhlenberg got as close as 14 points with under 9 minutes remaining following a 13-2 run that featured a three-pointer from senior Drew Greene, one from sophomore Jack Woodard, and seven straight points by sophomore Drew Buck.

Buck (pictured above) finished with 21 points, hitting the 20-point mark for the fourth time this season, on 7-of-11 shooting. Junior Peter Stanton-Shepherd went 5-of-6 from the field, scoring 11 points, while Woodard ended with 10.