FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion shot better than 50 percent from the field and pulled down 44 rebounds on the way to a 79-74 victory over the UNC Pembroke women's basketball team on Wednesday evening inside the Smith University Center.
The setback for the Braves (11-7, 9-5 CC) marked the seventh straight loss to Francis Marion when playing away from Pembroke. The victory for the Patriots (9-6, 8-5 CC) marked the fifth straight win this season and the fourth straight win at home.
| THE BASICS |
SCORE: Francis Marion 79, UNC Pembroke 74
RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 11-7, 9-5 CC, Francis Marion 9-6, 8-5 CC
LOCATION: Florence, S.C. (Smith University Center) |
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| HOW IT HAPPENED |
| 1ST QUARTER |
| Francis Marion took a quick 7-2 advantage with a trey from Scarlett Gilmore just 90 seconds into play. Gabby Smith hit a turnaround jumper in the paint to cut the deficit back to 13-12 with 3:43 remaining in the quarter. Both teams traded baskets over the next few minutes, but Zaria Clark's bucket knotted the score at 17 apiece heading into the second period. |
| 2ND QUARTER |
| FMU took what would be its largest lead of the evening, 28-17, with a running layup from Zaria Woods just under the six-minute mark. UNCP used a 12-0 scoring run that stretched to the 2:12 mark to take a slight 29-28 lead, but the hosts picked up a three from Jada Richards as time expired to send the teams to the locker rooms with Francis Marion leading 33-32. |
| 3RD QUARTER |
| The Patriots started the half on a 12-4 run to push their lead out to 45-36 with 6:25 left on the clock. The Braves got back to back baskets from Gabby Smith to whittle the deficit back to 45-40, but the hosts knocked down 57 percent of their shots from the field to lead 54-50 heading into the final stanza. |
| 4TH QUARTER |
| An old-fashioned three-point play from Gabby Smith knotted the game at 64 apiece with 4:29 left to play in regulation. Francis Marion took a six-point lead with a Zaria Woods free throw with 21 seconds left to play. Zaria Clark drained a three ball to cut the deficit back to 77-74 with 12 seconds remaining, but the hosts connected on their final two free throw attempts to hold onto the victory. |
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| INSIDE THE BOX SCORE |
+ Courtney Smith registered a career-best 20 points on 4-for-10 shooting. Smith was also a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe, while logging four rebounds, four assists, and a trio of steals.
+ Gabby Smith also had a 20-point performance on 8-for-15 shooting. The redshirt junior pulled down four rebounds, dished out three assists and had two steals.
+ Alcenia Purnell added 15 points. Purnell recorded a team-high seven assists. |
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| NOTABLES |
+ The Black & Gold shot 37.3 percent from the floor and 88.9 (16-for-18) from the free throw line.
+ Francis Marion tallied 44 rebounds, while UNC Pembroke was limited to just 26 rebounds.
+ The Braves forced 20 Patriots turnovers and converted those into 21 points. |
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| UP NEXT |
| The Braves will be back in action on Saturday for Military Appreciation when they welcome Emmanuel (3-11, 3-8 CC) to Pembroke. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. Due to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases in the state of North Carolina and across the country, attendance at Saturday's game will be limited to individuals on the player/coach pass lists. |
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| STAY CONNECTED |
| Follow UNCP Women's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" UNCP Women's Basketball on Facebook. |
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| BACK THE BRAVES |
| Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Women's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu. |
