Box Score LANCASTER (PA) – Franklin & Marshall College shot 60 percent from the field as the host Diplomats captured the Sponaugle New Years Tournament championship for the third straight year thanks to an 84-69 victory over Delaware Valley College.

F&M, which went to the NCAA Division III Elite Eight just two years ago, ran its winning streak to five as it improved to 7-4 on the season. The Aggies fell to 6-6 and they will have one more non-conference game (at Penn State Berks on January 8) before resuming Freedom Conference play with their final 12 contests.

Delaware Valley was still without the services of starters Jay Donovan and Zach Sly, who each missed their second straight games with injuries. They also missed last night's thriller when the Aggies edged defending Liberty League champion Hobart College, 74-73, to reach the tournament title game.

F&M never trailed in the contest, but was just up five, 26-21, after Zach Sibel hit a jumper with seven minutes remaining in the first half. The Diplomats answered with back-to-back baskets and eventually took a 38-29 lead into the break.

F&M upped the lead to 15 early in the second half, but a 6-2 run capped by a Nick Sullivan, brought the Aggies to within 11, 55-44, with 13:08 to go. However, the Diplomats ran off 13 of the game's next 15 points, for a 22-point advantage and Delaware Valley never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

The Diplomats hit 30 of their 50 attempts from the field, including an 8-for-13 effort from beyond the arc. They also held a 41-27 edge on the board, but the Aggies' swarming defense did force 21 turnovers which it turned into 18 points.

Matt Porter was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament for F&M as he paced the team with 24 points. Jon Salandra earned a spot on the all-tournament team thanks to 15 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots. Terrel Phelps added 16 points in the win.

Sullivan hit five treys and finished with a game-high 21 points. Arnold was named to the all-tournament team as he followed up his 20-point effort against Hobart with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Chris Moran scored 17 points and added three blocked shots.