Florence, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped a heartbreaker to the Francis Marion Patriots on Saturday afternoon in a 62-59 final score.

The Warriors shot 36.5% from the field and went 64.3% from the free throw line in the loss to the Patriots.  Tristen Berry led the team with 13 points.  Berry was followed by Allie Newberry with 11 points and Nakia Hooks with 10 points.  Southern Wesleyan had 12 assists during the game with Brittany Mack leading the team with four.  She was followed by Berry with three.

Southern Wesleyan collected 34 rebounds with Nakia Hooks leading the team with eight.  Hooks was followed by Lonesha Lee with seven rebounds.  Shelby Glance collected the lone block of the game for the Warriors.  The Warriors stole the ball 11 times with Tristen Berry collecting three.
 

Game Vitals

Final: Francis Marion 62, Southern Wesleyan 59

Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-9 / CC 2-6) Francis Marion (5-6 / CC 4-5)

 
Coach Davis says…

"Proud of the team's resolve today.  Our second quarter was the separation.  For this group, it was important to compete like we did in the second half and to take the lead in the fourth quarter.  We worked much better in the second half offensively.  FMU executed well in the end and caught us watching for some easy baskets."
 
 
How It Happened

Francis Marion charged out of the gate as layups by Lauryn Taylor and Zaria Woods put the Patriots on top 4-0 early.  The Warriors countered as Lonesha Lee passed the ball up top to Brittany Mack who stepped beyond the arc and fired off a shot to put Southern Wesleyan down 3-6 with just over seven minutes left.  The Patriots pushed forward, but a layup by Nakia Hooks kept the Warriors within three.  Southern Wesleyan would not let up as Tristen Berry drove to the net and laid it up to put the Warriors within one.  Southern Wesleyan maintained the pressure as Allie Newberry sunk a jump shot to put them on top 9-8 with just under five minutes left in the first quarter.  Back-to-back baskets by Shelby Glance and Newberry pushed the Warriors lead to 13-8, but the Patriots countered with a layup by Jasmine Stanley to put them back within three.  However, a basket by Brooke Henricks allowed the Warriors to maintain a 15-13 point advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Francis Marion kicked off the second quarter with a three pointer by Kianna Lee to put the Patriots on top 16-15.  Both teams continued to attack the net, but neither team was able to land a basket for three minutes before Lauryn Taylor laid the ball up to put Francis Marion on top 20-15.  The Patriots continued to shut down the Warriors before Nakia Hooks laid the ball up to cut the Patriots lead down to seven points.  However, Francis Marion pushed forward with a layup by Lee to push them ahead by nine once again.  The Patriots led 30-18 at the half.

Francis Marion kicked off the third quarter with a layup by MiLeia Owens, but a driving layup by Tristen Berry allowed the Warriors to come within twelve.  However, the Patriots regained their 14-point advantage.  Southern Wesleyan continued to challenge as Lonesha Lee and Brittany Mack put the ball into the basket to put the Warriors down 24-34.  The Patriots were not discouraged as they maintained the pressure, but the Warriors continue to press the defense as Allie Newberry stepped beyond the arc and sunk a three to keep the Warriors within eleven with just under five minutes left.  The Warriors would not let up as Tristen Berry pressed forward with back-to-back baskets to put Southern Wesleyan down 34-40.  Kayla Garrett pressed forward with back-to-back jump shots to put the Warriors within four points of the Patriots at the end of the third quarter.

Francis Marion took the first points of the final quarter as Lauryn Taylor laid the ball up to give the Patriots a 40-46 point advantage.  However, Southern Wesleyan countered as Tristen Berry drove down the lane and laid the ball up to keep the Warriors within four.  The Warriors continued to chip away at the Patriots' lead as Berry passed the ball to Brittany Mack who fired a shot off from beyond the arc to put the Warriors down 46-48.  However, Scarlett Gilmore stole the ball away to lay it up and give Francis Marion back a four point lead.  The Warriors would not relent as Lonesha Lee sunk a three pointer to put Southern Wesleyan within one of Francis Marion with just over four minutes left in the final quarter.  Southern Wesleyan continued to push ahead as a layup by Nakia Hooks put the Warriors on top, but the Patriots countered with a jump shot to put them back on top 54-53.  Tristen Berry knocked down a jump shot with eleven seconds on the board to put the Warriors back within two points of the Patriots.  A late layup by Nakia Hooks put the Warriors within one, but a foul allowed Kiana Lee to take free throw shots to give the Patriots a 62-59 point victory.
 
 
What's Next

The Warriors will remain on the road on January 17 as they travel to Cullowhee, NC to take on the Western Carolina Catamounts in exhibition action.  Southern Wesleyan will resume Conference Carolinas action on January 21 as they return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium to host the Chowan Hawks.  They will remain home on January 22 to host the University of Mount Olive Trojans at 2 p.m.