Murfreesboro, NC – Southern Wesleyan battled back to take down the Francis Marion Patriots on Sunday evening in a 96-93 final score.
The Warriors shot 44.4% from the field and were 40% from beyond the arc in the opening game of the Conference Carolinas Championship tournament. Will Little led the team by going 5-10 from beyond the arc and accumulating 35 total points. He was followed by Malachi Cooper (18 points), Jaquay Randolph (17 points) and Josh Parker (17 points). Of the nine assists in the game, Parker had four.
Southern Wesleyan pulled down 35 rebounds during the game. Jaquay Randolph picked up yet another double-double game as he had 13 boards in the evening. Randolph went on to have three blocks. Of the five steals, Josh Parker had two. The other steals came from Will Little, Randolph and Jamarras McCray.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 96, Franics Marion 93
Records: Southern Wesleyan (14-14 / CC 10-10) Francis Marion (7-22 / CC 7-13)
How It Happened
The Patriots were first on the board as Adonis Cole laid the ball up into the basket. Kennard Davis knocked down a three to allow Francis Marion to extend their lead to five. Southern Wesleyan was finally able to get on the board as Will Little hit a three pointer. The Warriors tied the game up as Malachi Cooper wove around the Patriots defense to lay the ball up into the basket. The Warriors and Patriots battled back and fourth throughout the next few minutes as Farid SaintCyr Jr slammed the ball into the basket and then Josh Parker knocked down a three, but neither team could push past the other. Little collected a pass from Parker and stepped out beyond the arc to hit another three. SaintCyr Jr and Kennard Davis each got up three pointers to allow Francis Marion to take the lead. Southern Wesleyan would not back down as Valdy Zephir passed the ball out to Parker who quickly hit a three pointer to keep the Warriors within four points of the Patriots. However, the Warriors trailed the Patriots 40-34 as they went into the locker room.
Francis Marion picked up from where they left off early in the second half as Adonis Cole laid the ball up into the basket. Will Little put up a mid-range shot. With just over seventeen minutes left in the half, Kennard Daivs laid the ball up into the basket. Josh Parker passed the ball out to Malachi Cooper who quickly hit a three pointer to tie the game up at forty-six points apiece and electrify the Warriors bench. The tie was short lived as Farid SaintCyr Jr put up another three pointer for the Patriots. Cooper knocked down another three pointer to allow Southern Wesleyan to take the lead. Jaiden Cancela fouled Will Little as he was going up for a three pointer to send him to the charity stripe. Little hit all three of his shots to allow the Warriors to take a 56-55 point lead with just under thirteen minutes left in the half. Jamarras McCray went up and hit a three pointer to allow Southern Wesleyan to extend their lead to four points. The Patriots would not give up though as Farid SaintCyr Jr wove around the defense and laid the ball up into the basket. Little was fouled as he sunk a three pointer to allow him to earn the and-one basket. Jaquay Randolph slammed the ball into the basket. The Patriots cut the Warriors lead down to eight, but Southern Wesleyan answered as Will Little laid the ball up into the basket. SaintCyr Jr hit another three, but Jaquay Randolph laid the ball up into the basket seconds later. Malachi Cooper and Randolph each got up layups. Francis Marion battled back, but the Warriors would not back down as Cooper and Jamarras McCray each made free throws to allow Southern Wesleyan to claim a 96-93 point victory.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain in Murfreesboro, NC tomorrow (March 2) as they take on the six seeded Chowan Hawks at 7pm.
