FLORENCE, S.C. –
Drew Gardner notched his sixth career double-double, while
Sidney Dollar,
Malik McConnell, and
Justin Nichelson all scored in double figures, as the Lees-McRae men's basketball team closed the game on a 12-3 run en route to clinching the 69-63 win over host Francis Marion in the Conference Carolinas action this afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 69; Francis Marion – 63
LOCATION: Smith University Center - Florence, South Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (5-2/3-1), Francis Marion (3-4/1-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Gardner shot 9 of 17 from the floor and 4 of 7 from distance to lead the Bobcats with 25 points, while also finishing with a team-high 11 rebounds and three blocks.
- Dollar shot 5 of 7 from the floor for 12 points to go along with seven rebounds, an assist, two blocks, and a game-high four steals.
- McConnell went 10 of 12 from the charity stripe for 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Nichelson added 11 points and three rebounds.
- Lees-McRae sprinted out of the gates by scoring the first 20 points and not allowing Francis Marion to score in the first seven minutes of the contest.
- The Patriots responded with a late run, but a pair of final free throws by Jaylin Stewart gave the Bobcats the 35-29 halftime lead.
- Francis Marion slowly chipped away at the lead at the start of the second half and took a 55-48 lead with 7:17 left in the contest.
- Lees-McRae responded by cutting the deficit to 60-57 with 4:28 remaining.
- The Bobcats held the hosts to only three points in the final four minutes, while scoring 12 points of their own, to hold on for the conference win.
- Lees-McRae outscored the Patriots 22-10 on fastbreak points and forces 20 Francis Marion turnovers in the win.
FOR THE FOES:
- Jonah Pierce finished with a team-high 21 points and 12 rebounds to pace the Patriots.
- Tionne Rollins chipped in 12 points and two assists, while Nick Silva added nine points and 10 rebounds.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats will visit Converse in another Conference Carolinas clash next Saturday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
