BANNER ELK, N.C. – Lees-McRae women's basketball returned for its first game of 2023 as the Bobcats fell 77-58 to Francis Marion on Wednesday evening.
Jala Holloman scored a team-high 16 points and
Arriana Lizarraga followed with 11 in the scoring column.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Francis Marion –
77; Lees-McRae – 58
LOCATION: McNair & Debi Tornow Court – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (1-11/0-7), Francis Marion (6-6/4-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Lizarraga knotted the contest at 12 apiece after jumper at the 4:50 mark of the first quarter, but the Patriots regained their advantage at the end of the first with the 24-17 edge.
- Francis Marion extended its lead in the second quarter of tonight's Conference Carolinas contest after Aniyah Oliver connected on a three-pointer to end the first half at 44-27.
- Holloman and the Bobcats got within 12 points of the Patriots after Holloman recorded two points at the charity stripe with 2:53 left in the third. FMU carried the 60-47 lead into the fourth and final stanza.
- Jada Richards pushed the lead to 21 points for the Patriots with 2:29 remaining in the fourth as Francis Marion secured the 77-58 victory in Banner Elk.
- Holloman and Lizarraga tallied double-figures for Lees-McRae on the evening and Aurora Roberts registered nine points to go along with three rebounds and two assists.
FOR THE PATRIOTS:
- Kiana Lee had a game-high 27 points on 11-14 shooting to lead Francis Marion in the contest and Lauryn Taylor followed with a double-double in 20 points and 13 boards.
- Richards tallied 10 points for the Patriots as FMU shot an efficient 46.0% (29-63) from the field.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae women's basketball returns to the McNair & Debi Tornow Court on Saturday, Jan. 7 for a 2 p.m. matchup with Conference Carolinas member Erskine.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
