PEMBROKE, NC – Francis Marion University shot just 11.1 percent from the field in the second half of a 63-38 loss to the UNC Pembroke Braves on Wednesday (Feb. 25) in Peach Belt Conference women's basketball competition.  

Francis Marion ends the season with an 8-20 overall record (5-14 in the PBC), while UNCP (10-16, 8-11) completes the season sweep of the Patriots.

Junior forward Alaysia Watts recorded her second double-double of the season with a team-high 11 points and 11 rebounds.  Freshman forward Khayani Chandler added eight points.

UNCP was led by freshman guard Ebone Stevens, who scored 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond-the-arc.  Senior forward Kierra Haney also recorded a double-double, registering 11 points and a game-high 22 rebounds.

The Braves scored the first five points of the game and extended that lead to 11-4 with 12:58 remaining in the opening period on a Stevens three-pointer.  But FMU would end the final 8:12 of the half on a fierce 15-2 run, highlighted by three-pointers from Watts, Chandler, sophomore guard Danielle Pray and senior guard Cy'erra Mills.  Stifling defense and effective outside shooting gave Francis Marion a 25-21 halftime advantage.

With 19:10 remaining in regulation, Pray nailed a jump shot to hand FMU a 27-24 edge.  Over the next 7:20, however, UNCP outscored FMU 8-0, with Haney tallying five of those points.

FMU freshman Courtney Wood connected on a jumper to tie the game 34-34 at the 10:12 mark of the second half.  Unfortunately for Francis Marion, the Braves hit six three-pointers and outscored the Patriots 24-4 in the concluding 9:19 to put the game out of reach, as FMU's offense struggled to hit a basket.

UNCP went 12-of-34 from beyond-the-arc (35.3 percent).  The Braves also outrebounded the Patriots 58-51.  FMU connected on five of its nine free throw attempts (55.6 percent), while UNCP hit 9-of-13 from the charity stripe (69.2 percent). 

2-25-15 5:30 p.m. at Pembroke, N.C./English E. Jones Center
UNC PEMBROKE 63, Francis Marion 38
Francis Marion (8-20, 5-14 PBC)
Alaysia Watts 5-17 0-0 11; Khayani Chandler 3-9 0-0 8; Courtney Wood 2-4 2-2
6; Danielle Pray 2-11 0-1 5; Cy'erra Mills 1-9 0-0 3; Stephanie Brown 0-0
2-4 2; Camille Dash 1-9 0-0 2; Briana Burgins 0-4 1-2 1; Bailee Watts 0-1
0-0 0; De'Ana Turner 0-4 0-0 0; Emily Green 0-1 0-0 0; Mariah Johnson 0-0
0-0 0. Totals 14-69 5-9 38.
UNC PEMBROKE (10-16, 8-11 PBC)
Ebone Stevens 5-7 0-0 15; Kierra Haney 2-11 7-10 11; Jazmine Kemp 4-9 0-0 8;
Airico Williams 3-5 0-0 8; Kamille Horne 2-7 0-0 6; Avae Hardy 1-8 2-2 5;
Katelyn Mitchell 1-4 0-0 3; Mary Robinson 1-2 0-0 3; Phoenicia Lawson 1-3
0-0 2; Chandrica Fuller 1-4 0-0 2; Jasmine Huntley 0-2 0-0 0; Ashley McCray
0-4 0-1 0; Jonissa Monley 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 21-70 9-13 63.
Halftime: Francis Marion 25 UNCP 21
3-point goals--FMUW 5-24 (Khayani Chandler 2-5; Danielle Pray 1-6; Alaysia
Watts 1-6; Cy'erra Mills 1-6; Emily Green 0-1), UNC Pembroke 12-34 (Ebone
Stevens 5-7; Airico Williams 2-4; Kamille Horne 2-6; Mary Robinson 1-2; Avae
Hardy 1-7; Katelyn Mitchell 1-4; Jasmine Huntley 0-1; Ashley McCray 0-3).
Fouled out--FMUW-None, UNC Pembroke-None. Rebounds--FMUW 51 (Alaysia Watts
11), UNC Pembroke 58 (Kierra Haney 22). Assists--FMUW 12 (Camille Dash 4),
UNC Pembroke 17 (Jazmine Kemp 7). Total fouls--FMUW 16, UNC Pembroke 10.
Technical fouls--None. A-1026