(News update) SMCM men fall in Sweet 16

Seahawks lose to Franklin & Marshall

Monday, March 15, 2010

Posted at 11:25 a.m. Monday

Despite 26- and 22-point efforts from lone senior Camontae Griffin and junior Sam Burum, the St. Mary's College of Maryland Seahawks fell to the Franklin & Marshall (Pa.) Diplomats, 92-87, Friday night in the Sweet-16 round of the NCAA Division III national tournament hosted by St. Mary's College.

Down 89-84, Griffin hit a fade-away, three-point basket to cut the lead down to 89-87.

Franklin & Marshall hit one of two free throws and on the ensuing possession Griffin missed a three-point shot that would have tied the game at 90 with less than five seconds remaining. Franklin & Marshall converted two free throws to cap the scoring.

The Seahawks finish the season at 26-4 after advancing to the Sweet-16 round for the second time in school history.

Although losing Griffin and his 21.6 points per game to graduation, the future may still be bright as the Seahawks return the rest of their roster.

Alex Franz added 17 points in the contest, while James Davenport had 11 to round out the double-digit scorers for the Seahawks.

James McNally led the Diplomats with 27 points on the evening.

Randolph-Macon (Va.) won the first game of Friday's doubleheader at St. Mary's, 68-55, over DeSales (Pa.) to advance to Saturday's Elite Eight matchup with Franklin & Marshall.

Randolph-Macon won that contest, 73-65, to advance its first-ever Final Four.

jmccray@somdnews.com