Story by Leeroy Francis
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FLORENCE, S.C. – The Augusta University women's basketball team traveled to the Francis Marion Patriots Wednesday afternoon for a Peach Belt Conference game and fell 61-48 at Smith University Center in Florence, S.C.
TEAM STATS
Augusta (3-13, 2-8 PBC)
FG% 33.9
3PT% 15.0
FT% 62.5
Francis Marion (8-6, 5-5 PBC)
FG% 43.8
3PT% 15.4
FT% 65.4
Augusta senior Brianna Middleton scored 17 points adding five rebounds and two steals in the contest. Freshman Asia Harrison added eight points and four assists for the Jaguars and senior Mallory Myers, junior Cameryn Wilson and freshman Kiera Howard each added four points for AU as well.
The Jaguars started out the gate hot going on an early 8-2 run to start the contest. The Jaguars continued to roll in the first quarter scoring 15 points with 02:56 left in the first quarter of action, but the Patriots would not be down for long and finished the quarter on a 7-0 run of their own to even the score at 15-all after quarter one.
The Jaguars shot 35.7 percent from field-goal territory in the first half, but played good team defense only allowing the Patriots 11 second-quarter points. AU kept the game tied at 26 at halftime. AU led the Patriots 26-19 with 03:34 left in the second quarter, but were left scoreless for the last 03:34 of the half and went into halftime tied 26-all.
To start the second half, Francis Marion hit a tough layup in transition after an AU turnover to take the lead 28-26. Wilson hit a jumper for Augusta to tie the game at 28. The rest of the third quarter was tight as the Jaguars and Patriots exchanged points in the third. The Patriots had their largest lead of the game leading by seven with 01:43 left in the third, but a three-pointer by Harrison brought the Jaguars back in the game and helped them only trail by four 42-38 heading into the final quarter.
Augusta cut the Patriot lead down to only two, 46-44, with 07:09 left in the game after a layup by Middleton, but the Jaguars would only score two more points in the remaining 07:09 of the game and the Patriots started to separate and build their lead. The Patriots would score 19 points to Augusta's 10 in the fourth to take the victory 61-43 at home.
The Patriots were led by senior Shanice Fulmore scoring 17 points adding six rebounds and four steals in the contest. Graduate Briana Burgins and Sophomore Kiana Adderton added 13 points and six rebounds each in the contest for the Patriots.
The game was decided in the paint as Francis Marion outrebounded Augusta 39-31 and had 26 free-throws making 17 points while the Jags' only had eight free-throws making five.
AU travel to Georgia Southwestern this Saturday, Jan. 26 for a 3:30 p.m. away game in Americus, Ga. Augusta meets rival USC Aiken on Wednesday, Jan. 30 for a PBC rivalry showdown in Augusta, Ga., at 5:30 p.m. in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
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