FLORENCE, S.C. – A 21-5 run to close the first half by Francis Marion University helped propel them past Flagler College 93-70 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Saturday afternoon at the Smith University Center.
Francis Marion extended its winning streak to four games and improved to 15-8 overall and events its Peach Belt record at 7-7. Flagler fell to 6-16 overall and 2-12 in conference play.
After Flagler's
Keith Gray scored the game's first four points, Francis Marion answered to take a 6-5 lead on a pair of free throws by Judah Alexander. The Patriot lead later swelled to 10 (25-15), but the Saints cut the lead in half with a basket by
Ben Bobbitt, a pair of free throws by
Vaughn McCall and another free throw by
Jarrod Widdows.
Samson Nnaji's layup with 5:50 left to go in the half started the 21-5 spurt. The run ended with three 3-pointers by Detrek Browning, who scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the first half.
The Patriots took a 46-25 lead into the half. Francis Marion only shot 36.8% (14-38) from the field, but the Patriots out-rebounded the Saints 27-18. Francis Marion grabbed nine offensive rebounds which led to 14 points. They out-scored Flagler 16-6 in the paint. Flagler was limited to 22.2% (6-27) shooting from the field.
Francis Marion was red-hot in the second half making 58.3% (14-24) of its shots from the field. Flagler warmed up as well shooting at a 48.4% (15-31) clip.
Browning added nine rebounds and six assists to his 25 point cache. He made 6-of-11 from the field and drained five 3-pointers. Browning also sank all eight free throw attempts. Mike Davis, Jr., poured in 19 points while Alexander added 14 points and eight rebounds. A.J. Jackson came off the bench to contribute 11 points.
McCall led the Saints with 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting. He made four 3-pointers.
Matt Clark added 12 points and five rebounds while Gray recorded his second double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Nick Grier chipped in with 10 points.
Flagler hosts Florida College on Monday (Feb. 8) at 7:30 p.m. at Flagler Gymnasium.
