LANCASTER, PA – The Franklin & Marshall College men's basketball team held on for a 68-63 win over Rowan University in the championship on Sunday at the Sponaugle New Year's Tournament. 
 
With 3:35 remaining, Rowan had a one-point lead (61-60) after a layup by center Diante Bah (jr. Mount Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.).  The Diplomats ended the game with an 8-2 run for the victory.  Forward/center Zach Ravitz (so. Millburn, NJ/Millburn) contributed with three baskets and guard Justin Kupa (so. Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) had two foul shots.
 
Ravitz totaled 12 points and seven rebounds.  Guard Les Thomas (so. Oklahoma City, OK/Heritage Hall) was the scoring leader with 15 points and guard/forward Ignas Slyka (jr. Mississauga, ONT/Millbrook School) followed with 13 points.  Forward/center J.C. McGrath (sr. Newark, DE/Munich International School) collected 10 points and nine rebounds.  Guard/forward Matt Redhead (so. Bedford, NY/Suffield Academy) added nine points and 10 boards.  
 
Kupa was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.  McGrath was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Rowan guard DaRon Curry (sr. Deptford, NJ/Phelps School (PA)).  In the consolation game, Keene State College defeated Delaware Valley University, 83-72.
 
The Diplomats are 8-3 on the season while the Profs are 9-4 overall.  Curry scored 15 points and guard/forward Ramon Wright (sr. Newark, NJ/Irvington) had 14 points and five rebounds.  Guard Nick DePersia (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) produced 10 points and guard Rob DePersia (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) registered seven points and four assists.  
 
F&M started the second half with a seven point lead (34-27). Rowan scored seven unanswered points and tied the score at 34 (17:05).  Wright poured in five points and Curry had two.  Ravitz followed with a layup at 16:41 to go ahead by two (36-34). The Profs built a six point advantage (44-38) with a 10-2 spurt that ended with two straight dunks by Wright. Curry and Rob DePersia each hit a three-pointer to start the rally.  
 
Rowan led by eight points (48-40) at 11:02.  The Diplomats scored 11 straight points to go ahead 51-48 with 8:05 left.  Curry's layup at 6:57 put Rowan on top 54-51 at 6:57.  Thomas nailed a three (5:02) for a 57-56 advantage.  Kupa's three-pointer made the scored 60-57 with 4:02 on the clock.  Guard Matt Green (so. Haddon Heights, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) cut the deficit to one (60-59) with a layup (4:02) before Bah gave Rowan the lead at 3:35.