Box Score Story by: Mitchell Hauff
Senior Kariel Hutt leads Jags with 19 points in the loss
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta Jaguars fell to the Francis Marion Patriots 86-69 on Monday night, snapping Augusta's seven-game winning streak. The Jags were handed their first PBC loss of the season as Francis Marion held the lead the entire game after the initial basket.
Augusta (10-3, 3-1 PBC) started Kayla Lovett, Breonna O'Conner, Kariel Hutt, Lonna Turner, and Camille Gee in their fourth PBC contest of the season.
Senior Kariel Hutt led the way for the Jags with 19 points and Camille Gee followed her with 10. FMU (11-2, 2-2 PBC) proved too strong, however, with five players in double-digits. FMU managed to hold the Jags to 40 percent shooting from the floor and 30.8 percent from outside the arc.
Hutt opened up the scoring for the game, but the Patriots would answer quickly, jumping out to an 8-2 lead with the help of two three-pointers. Displaying strong defense in the opening half, FMU managed to hold the lead for the remainder of the first period, jumping out to as large as a 12-point lead and draining a three-pointer at the buzzer.
FMU scored the first two baskets of the quarter. The Patriots' perimeter shooting went cold to begin the second period, not hitting a three until late, forcing their game inside. The Jags would struggle to capitalize, however, shooting just 33.3 percent and turning the ball over 10 times in the first half. FMU was able to get their offense rolling again late in the second period, leading 44-30 at the half.
The Jaguars came out strong, cutting the lead to 10 before an FMU three-pointer and a layup off of a Jaguar turnover stopped the Jags' momentum and gave the Patriots a 15-point lead. A three-pointer by Camille Gee midway through the third period cut the lead to nine and got the Jags back in the game.
FMU flexed their offensive strength once more, but a long jumper by Joshlyn Belcher at the buzzer cut the lead to 64-54 heading into the final period. FMU pulled away in the final period, however, with the final score 86-69 in favor of the Patriots.
The Jaguars host the Lander Bearcats on Saturday, Jan. 9 for a 1:30 p.m. tipoff. The Augusta men are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start with Lander. The Jan. 9 contest is the Day of Service game where Augusta Athletics will recognize the Augusta University Day of Service participants from across the community.
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