Box Score SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Led by three double-figure scorers, the Swarthmore College women's basketball team defeated Franklin & Marshall 74-68 on Saturday afternoon from Tarble Pavilion.
Swarthmore (18-5, 14-4) honored its two graduating seniors Madeline Ross and Eliza Polli before the tip-off with the Diplomats (7-16, 4-14).
The Garnet offense was led by sophomore Elle Larsen with 20 points – 10 of which came from the free throw line. Junior Katie Lytle finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds for her 16th double-double of the season.
The seniors combined for 16 points - Ross tallied 10 points, three assists, one block and one steal, while Polli finished with six points and four rebounds.
The Diplomats were led by Alexa Barbush with a career-high 34 points, five assists and four steals. Elizabeth Snyder tallied 14 points and six rebounds in the effort.
Swarthmore opened the contest with a 6-0 run – five points from Lytle – before the Diplomats got on board at 17:17 with a jumper from Kara Bacile. The remainder of the first half stayed neck-and-neck as there was seven ties and four lead changes.
Lytle finished a buzzer-beating lay-up while fouled and converted on the three-point opportunity to put the Garnet ahead 35-38 at the intermission.
Ross opened the second half scoring as Swarthmore picked up momentum en route to a 14-point lead at 12:08 after a three-pointer from Polli. The Diplomats slowly cut the margin beginning with a jumper from Barbush at 9:30 to start a 7-0 run for the visitors. Barbush picked up another jumper and Snyder hit a trey to shrink the deficit to 56-50 at 8:09. F&M would come within three points twice, but couldn't complete the comeback.
Swarthmore will conclude its regular season at home on Wednesday, February 13th against Bryn Mawr. The Garnet are hosting its annual "Play 4Kay" initiative game.
