SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Sophomore Melanie Ackerman poured in a career high 22 points with a 6-of-9 mark from three-point range as the Swarthmore College women's basketball team (3-4, 2-2 CC) cruised past the Franklin Marshall Diplomats (1-8, 1-4 CC) 74-53 on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

Swarthmore connected on 47 percent of its three-point tries and shut down the paint with a season-high 13 blocks as senior Jessica Jowdy and junior Maggie O'Neil totaled four apiece. Abbey Deckard notched her first double-double of the season on 10 points and 14 rebounds while sophomore Raina Williams scored an efficient 13 points in 17 minutes off the bench.

The Garnet also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Diplomats 59-42 while limiting F&M to 24 percent from the field.

The visitors owned a 14-11 lead entering the second, but Swarthmore came alive in the period with 23 points. Ackerman started off with consecutive treys and O'Neil joined in with a three of her own as the Garnet opened with a 13-0 run. Williams caught fire down the stretch, scoring six points in the final two minutes of the half to give Swarthmore a 34-26 advantage before intermission.

In the third, Ackerman continued her streak behind 11 points and three makes from downtown. Swarthmore extended its possessions with six offensive rebounds in the quarter and concluded the frame with a 12-point lead.

The Garnet closed out the game behind a strong defensive effort as they limited the Diplomats to 3-of-23 from the field and no three-pointers in the fourth. Deckard cleaned up with six defensive boards in the quarter and Swarthmore led by as many as 23 points in the closing minutes.

The women's basketball team plays its final game of the 2015 calendar year on Thursday, Dec. 10 when it travels to Rosemont for a non-conference showdown. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.