ST. AUGUSTINE – Vaughn McCall scored a team-high 20 points and dished out seven assists, but it wasn't enough as Francis Marion University rallied to defeat Flagler College 80-76 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Flagler Gymnasium.

Francis Marion improved to 13-3 overall and 9-2 in the Peach Belt. The Patriots had their five-game winning streak come to an end last Wednesday vs. Augusta. Flagler had its two-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 7-10 overall and 4-7 in conference play.

The game was close throughout as neither team held a lead larger than five points. There were 14 ties and 16 lead changes.

With 1:18 left to go in the game, Flagler's Chris Metzger was fed the ball at the right elbow and he got by the Patriot defender. He penetrated the wide open lane and finished with a tomahawk dunk to knot the game at 75. Metzger was fouled on the play and his free throw, which came after a 30-second Francis Marion timeout, bumped Flagler's lead to one point.

The next time down the court, Brandon Parker sank a three-pointer right in front of the Patriots bench to give Francis Marion a 78-76 lead.

Parker made a key block on McCall when tried to drive the lane for a layup with 45 seconds left.

Francis Marion launched a three-pointer to put the game out of reach, but it missed and Gloire Biongo was there to collect the rebound.

McCall tried again with another driving layup, but this time it was blocked by Winston Hill. Parker grabbed the rebound and was fouled immediately with five seconds left. He sank both free throws to clinch the win.

Parker finished with a game-high 25 points, he grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, and dished out seven assists. Jaquez Smith tallied 15 points while Hill contributed 12 points and five rebounds.

The Patriots were nearly flawless from the free throw line sinking 84.6 percent (11-13). Francis Marion shot 60.7 percent (17-28) from the field in the second half and 50 percent (28-56) for the game.

Damerit Brown and Metzger each added 16 points. Gedi Juozapaitis produced nine points and a team-high nine rebounds.

The Saints held a 36-33 lead at the half.

Flagler finished the game shooting 52.8 percent (28-53) from the field, which included a 60 percent (15-25) second half.

Up next for Flagler is Columbus State University on Wednesday (Jan. 30) at 7:30 p.m. at Flagler Gymnasium on "Tijuana Flats Night."



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