Monday, January 23, 2006

LADY SAINTS A PERFECT 10-0 IN PBC WITH 69-58 WIN OVER FMU

Florence, S.C. - Overcoming a dismal first half of shooting, North Georgia College & State University used a second half surge to overpower Francis Marion University 69-58 in the Smith University Center.

PBC newcomer North Georgia (14-3, 10-0) remains unbeaten in conference play, while FMU (7-8, 5-4) suffers its second straight PBC setback. It is only the Patriots' 24th defeat in their last 133 home games in the Smith University Center.

Guard Megan Huffman led four NGC&SU players in double figures with 17 points. Senior Katie Williamson came off the Lady Saint bench to tally 13 points, including a nine-of-10 performance from the free throw line, while center Jeanine Dorminey added 13 points and nine rebounds and Lara Seamon chipped in 12 points.

Senior Danielle Moore led Francis Marion with 19 points and nine rebounds, and in the process moved into 22nd position on the Patriot career scoring list with 1,095 points, passing former guard Sherer Gordon's 1,087 total. Freshman guard Kirby Marsh scored 13 points, while sophomore 6-4 center Shavone Mack recorded six points, 10 rebounds, and six blocked shots.

Both teams struggled from the field in the opening half. FMU owned a 24-21 lead with three minutes remaining as the Lady Saints missed 25 of their first 30 field goal attempts. The two teams left the floor at halftime tied at 27-27.

After a brief tie at 29-29, North Georgia took the lead for good with an 11-0 spurt. Huffman scored nine of the points in the run. The margin would grow to 20 points at 59-39, following a lay-up by Huffman with 6:29 left.

Francis Marion answered with a 13-3 run to trim the margin to 62-52 with 1:41 remaining, but North Georgia held off the Patriots by sinking seven of eight free throws in the final 1:23.

FMU again only dressed eight healthy players. The Patriots regained the services of sophomore Sienna Gandy-Miller, but freshman forward Katherine Kiefer missed the game with an illness.

North Georgia converted 23 FMU turnovers into 20 points, and Francis Marion was not able to match the Lady Saints' night at the line. The Patriots hit only 11 of 17 free throw attempts. North Georgia ended the night shooting 32.1 percent from the field.

Francis Marion will play at USC Upstate, Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., while North Georgia plays at Augusta State University on the same evening at 5:30 p.m.

Box Score

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