PEMBROKE, N.C. -- Augusta State battled back from a pair of deficits Friday night, and even rallied for a third time in the fifth set before dropping a dramatic 3-2 decision to UNC Pembroke in a key Peach Belt Conference matchup in the English E. Jones Center.

With the victory, the Braves improved to 14-15 overall and 6-7 in the PBC. The Jaguars, who entered the match tied with UNCP for fourth place in the conference standings, fell to 14-17 on the season and 5-8 in the league.

ASU senior Jessica Hanson registered another sterling effort with 15 kills against just one error for a .424 hitting percentage. Freshman Kristen Koch tallied 14 putdowns, while junior Mandy Irizarry and freshman Alex Rohlfing each netted 12 kills.

Jaguar junior setter Krystin Wahlig racked up 54 assists and freshman Collette Richards turned in 27 digs. Wahlig added 23 digs and Irizarry pitched in 17 digs for her first double-double of the season.

UNCP's Rebecca Morgan recorded a match-high 24 kills and Ashlyn Rebok logged 59 assists, while Marissa Baker had 33 digs.

ASU, which posted a better hitting percentage (.218) than the Braves (.183), rallied from a 6-1 deficit in the fifth set to take a 19-18 lead on a kill by Hanson. The Braves then responded, closing out the match with three straight points, including an ace from Tiara Anderson to punctuate the victory.

ASU travels to Florence, S.C., on Saturday to take on Francis Marion at 2:00 p.m. The Jags return home to host Senior Night and face Coastal Georgia on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m., in Christenberry Fieldhouse and play host to the Peach Belt Conference Championships Friday-Sunday, Nov. 11-13.