December 15, 2008

Box Score

Florence, SC – Four North Georgia players scored in double figures, but Francis Marion was able to stay undefeated and escape with an 80-77 victory Monday evening at the Smith University Center in Peach Belt Conference action.

North Georgia falls to 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the Peach Belt Conference, while Francis Marion stays undefeated at 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the league.

The Saints found themselves down by three points with 10 seconds remaining, but Michael Moynihan’s last second three-pointer was off the mark, sending North Georgia to their first loss of the season.

Francis Marion led by two points at intermission, but the Saints came out firing in the second half and took their largest lead of the game on a layup by Anthony Rowe with 16:18 remaining in the game to make it 45-41.

The Patriots would respond and answer with a 13-1 run over the next five minutes to take the lead right back at 58-52 midway through the second period. North Georgia came right back, and took the lead one last time at the 4:38 mark on a pair of free throws by Andre Morgan, but FMU’s Stanley Jones sealed the game with two foul shots of his own with 10 seconds remaining for the three-point victory.

LaBrian Lyons led the way once again for North Georgia with 20 points and five assists, while Rowe added a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Xavier Trice was 4-8 from the field for 12 points, and Andre Morgan finished in double figures with 11 points.

Sam Smith led the Patriots with 17 points and seven rebounds, and Kevin clark notched a double-double for Francis Marion with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

North Georgia will look to rebound as they travel to Anderson University on December 18, for a 7:00 p.m. contest against the Trojans.