FLORENCE, S.C. – Augusta State held on to a slim lead by clamping down defensively to start Peach Belt Conference play right, winning 49-42 over the Francis Marion Patriots Saturday.

Augusta State improves to 1-0 in the PBC, and 3-3 overall. FMU falls to 2-4, 0-2.

The teams traded baskets throughout the first half, with the Patriots holding a one-point halftime advantage; the low-scoring affair continued for nearly ten minutes in the second period, before Augusta State's defense held FMU scoreless for four minutes down the stretch, long enough for Laci Schreiber and Jemimah Ashby to up the Jaguar lead to five with 2:48 left.

But cold shooting allowed the Patriots to whittle the gap to one with 1:02 remaining. The Jag defense stepped up again, holding FMU scoreless with the clock winding down to force the Patriots to foul; Amber Peterson and Schreiber put in a free throw apiece, and Francis Marion's game-tying heave with four seconds missed the mark to seal the game.

Francis Marion shot just 26.3 percent for the game, going 15-of-57 from the floor and 3-of-14 (21.4 percent) from behind the arc. They also missed 11 free throws, shooting 45 percent from the stripe.

Brittany White led all scorers with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting to go with three assists and steals. Tiffany Jaecks also chipped in nine, as the Jaguars had ten players score in the game.

Carmella Thomspson and Brittany Christian led Francis Marion with eight points apiece.

Augusta State next hosts North Greenville in a nonconference battle Saturday, December 10 at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 p.m.