AUGUSTA, Ga. – Francis Marion University freshman Lauryn Taylor posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in her collegiate debut, but a late Patriot rally fell short in a 60-51 road loss to Augusta University on Wednesday in women’s basketball action.
FMU (0-5, 0-4) was playing its first game in 22 days due to COVID-19 protocols. The Patriots will now play three consecutive home games starting with a 3 p.m. tip-off against Clayton State University on Saturday.
Taylor, a product of Spring Valley High School, also pilfered a team-high four steals. Freshman guard Aniyah Oliver led Francis Marion with a career-high equaling 13 points. Sophomore guard Scarlett Gilmore added nine points and sophomore 6-foot-1 forward Jasmine Stanley tallied seven points and six rebounds.
Zairya West paced the Jaguars (2-3, 1-0) with 18 points, while Keira Howard scored 14.
After falling behind 4-0 to open the game, FMU went on a 15-6 run to lead 15-10 after an Abigail Bullock three-pointer. A lay-in by Mechella Davis in the final minute of the first quarter snapped a 17-17 deadlock and gave Augusta a 19-17 lead.
A 5-0 spurt by the Patriots – capped by a jump shot by senior guard Taylor Simmons – put FMU back ahead 22-21 with 7:18 left in the second period. After the Jaguars retook the lead, a three-pointer by Oliver brought Francis Marion to within 28-27 with 3:59 on the clock. However, Augusta closed the half with an 8-1 run to own a 36-28 advantage at intermission.
