FLORENCE, S.C. – The Augusta University women's basketball team had their three-game win streak snapped on Saturday afternoon in a 75-65 Peach Belt Conference loss at Francis Marion in the Smith University Center.
Augusta (9-7, 4-6 PBC) met FMU (8-10, 3-6 PBC) in the PBC East Division matchup that had seven lead changes and four tied scores.
The Patriots prevailed in the paint by outrebounding Augusta 41-29 and scoring 42 points in the paint to AU's 33. The Jaguars were 16-of-19 (84.2 percent) from the free-throw line, while FMU was 19-of-28 (67.9 percent).
Augusta made a trio of three pointers and held Francis Marion to two, but the Patriots had a 46.6 field-goal percentage (27-of-58) to AU's 41.1 percent (23-of-56).
Senior Breonna O'Conner led the Jags with 18 points, four rebounds, four steals, and four assists. Senior Kayla Lovett added 12 points with four boards and three assists, and junior Abrea Harris produced nine bench points with four steals and three assists.
FMU's Brianna Burgins led the game with 28 points and Shaunice Fulmore ended the day with 17 points.
O'Conner made two layups and Pitt a jumper for a 6-0 Augusta lead to open the game, but Francis Marion's Burgins scored nine first-quarter points to help FMU outscore AU 21-15 through the first 10 minutes.
Burgins and Fulmore scored in double figures in the first half to guide the Patriots. FMU led by as much as 11 in the first half, but the Jags stormed back. Two-consecutive threes from Joshlyn Belcher cut the Augusta deficit to 34-33 with 3:50 to play and two O'Conner free throws eventually gave the Jags a 36-35 halftime lead.
The Jaguars lost the lead at the start of the second half and FMU held on for a 75-65 win.
Augusta travels to Armstrong State on Wednesday, Jan. 25 for their next PBC game at 5:30 p.m. in Savannah, Ga.
The Jaguars host the USC Aiken Pacers on Monday, Jan. 30 for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff. A White Out is forecast for Christenberry Fieldhouse. Fans, don your favorite white outfit and head over to the berry' Monday for the annual rivalry showdown. The men's game follows the ladies at 7:30 p.m.
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