LANCASTER, Pa. -- The Washington and Lee basketball team dropped both of its games in the season-opening Sponaugle Tournament at Franklin & Marshall College on Friday and Saturday.

The Generals (0-2) opened the tournament against 19th-ranked F&M, falling to the Diplomats by a score of 63-43. Franklin & Marshall began the game on a 16-5 run over the opening six minutes and cruised to a 34-21 halftime advantage in taking the 20-point victory.

W&L was paced by freshman guard Chris Halkitis (New Port Richey, Fla./Ridgewood), who tallied 12 points and four rebounds. Junior guard Mike Stuart (Warrenton, Va./Fauquier) added 10 points.

F&M was led by guard Duran Searles, who notched 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor. Forward Bobby Lynch scored 12 points, while guard Jackiem Wright totaled 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.

W&L then faced 14th-ranked Catholic in the consolation round, bowing to the Cardinals, 72-61. The Generals trailed by just four points at halftime and climbed to within three points (56-53) with 3:10 remaining. However, a three-pointer by CUA forward William Morley and solid free throw shooting down the stretch iced the game for the Cardinals.

Sophomore forward David Will (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) led four Generals in double-figures with 13 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore forward Matt Lawless (Williamsburg, Va./Bishop O'Connell) and sophomore guard Phil Landes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mariemont) registered 12 points each, while senior forward Hamill Jones (Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's) added 10 points.

Morley led Catholic (1-1) with 18 points and six rebounds.

Franklin & Marshall (2-0) won the tournament with a 90-54 win over Guilford in the championship game. Will was named to the all-tournament team.

Washington and Lee returns to action on Tuesday as it travels to Division I Citadel for a 7:00 pm contest.

-- GENERALS --