January 8, 2011

FLORENCE, S.C. -- Francis Marion handed Augusta State its fourth straight loss Saturday afternoon, topping the Lady Jaguars 86-64 in Peach Belt Conference action at Smith University Center.

The Patriots improved to 8-4 overall and 1-3 in the PBC, while the Lady Jaguars slipped to 6-6 on the season and 0-5 in the conference.

Sophomore forward Waneta Carlisle booked a team-high 19 points and nine rebounds for ASU and freshman Jemimah Ashby managed 11 points and three steals. Senior Blaire Egardo grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.

FMU's Robin Colbert (21) and Shannon Singleton-Bates (20) combined for 41 points and Courtney Mealing added 11. Monica Mann handed out 10 assists.

The Patriots never trailed, moving out to a double-digit lead at the 11:10 mark of the first half (23-12) and led by as many as 19 before taking a 43-25 advantage into the half.

The Lady Jags shot 56 percent in the second half and held FMU without a 3-pointer. The Patriots did their damage at the charity stripe, nailing 21-of-23 in the second half to offset their 33 percent shooting from the field.

ASU (42.1 percent) actually outshot the Patriots (39.5 percent), but suffered 32 turnovers and was outrebounded 47-36.

The Lady Jags host Armstrong Atlantic State on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m., in a Peach Belt Conference matchup at Christenberry Fieldhouse.