FLORENCE, S.C. – Home-standing Francis Marion registered its best shooting performance in more than a month and forced 18 turnovers by the 21st-ranked UNC Pembroke men’s basketball team on the way to a 90-83 victory over the Braves on Wednesday evening at the Smith University Center.
The setback snapped a nine-game win streak for the Braves (14-4, 10-2 PBC) who also had its 11-game road win streak against Peach Belt Conference opponents stopped as well. The Patriots (11-6, 6-6) won for just the second time in their last five outings, but tacked up their fourth win against the Braves in the last five matchups in Florence.
Tyrell Kirk complemented a career-best 20 points with eight rebounds and eight assists to pace the Braves whose last conference road loss heading into Wednesday came at the hands of Francis Marion back on Jan. 30, 2017. Nigel Grant turned in 18 for the visitors, while Brandon Watts added 16.
Detrek Browning scored a game-best 27 points for Francis Marion, while Judah Alexander recorded 20 points and just missed a double-double with nine boards as well.
On the women’s side, FMU Patriot Abigial Bullock dropped 34 points, Lake City grad Shaunice Fulmore added 20, as FMU surged in the 2nd half to get an 82-63 win over the Braves.
