AUGUSTA, Ga. – The GRU Augusta women's basketball team kept its playoff hopes alive and won their third straight Peach Belt match, 52-40, over Francis Marion Wednesday evening in Christenberry Fieldhouse.

GRU's (8-16, 7-10 PBC) junior forward and reigning PBC Player of the Week, Kariel Hutt, lead the way with her fourth consecutive double-double performance, scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 boards.

Last time out against FMU (8-18, 5-12 PBC) on Jan. 5, 2015, freshman guard Joshlyn Belcher hit a three-pointer to force overtime, but the Patriots sunk a three-pointer with seven second remaining to steal a 75-73 league victory.

FMU struck first with a two-pointer from freshman guard Khayani Chandler in the opening possession, and Belcher responded with a three-pointer to switch the lead to GRU's favor. However, the scoring grew scarce as the first half waned and both squads adjusted.

The Jags ended the first half on a 13-5 run to erase a four-point deficit and take a 21-17 halftime lead. By the end of the first period the Jags' defense forced 11 turnovers and held the Patriots to 30.4 percent shooting from the field.

In the first three minutes of the second half, the Patriots were able to reclaim the scoring advantage, 23-22, behind a jump shot from senior guard Cy'erra Mills.

Nonetheless, the Jags scored seven unanswered points to reclaim the lead. And a few possessions later, Hutt scored down low to give the Jags their first double digit margin of the game, 37-27.

At the 2:11 mark Belcher mad another trey for a 52-33 margin, and the Jags' largest lead of the game. GRU was able to finish the night with a 43.5 field goal percentage and 22 points off turnovers.

The Jags finish out the regular season with two more home games against Lander on Feb. 21 at 2:30 p.m. and USC Aiken Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m.  The halftime of the women's game on Feb. 21 will be the 2015 Homecoming coronation ceremony.

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