GAFFNEY, SC – Sophomore forward Briana Burgins scored 16 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and took multiple charges to help lead seventh-seeded Francis Marion University to a come-from-behind 67-58 win over third-seeded and 23rd-ranked Columbus State University, Saturday evening (March 12) in the semifinal round of the 2016 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional women's basketball tournament.

The Patriots improve to 23-8 and advance to face eighth-seeded Augusta University on Monday in the Sweet 16 regional title game at 7 p.m.  Augusta defeated fifth-seeded Anderson University 81-73 in Saturday's second semifinal game.

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Senior forward Alaysia Watts led FMU with 18 points, including two key buckets in the final three minutes as the Patriots pulled away from a one-point game by closing with a 10-2 spurt.  Junior guard TeTe Flowers added 10 points, while both senior Camille Dash and sophomore Khayani Chandler scored seven points apiece.

Two-time Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year Michelle Mitchell led the Cougars (25-6) with 16 points and 13 rebounds.  Ashley Johnson added 12 points, while Ashley Asouzu scored 11 and Gabby Williams 10.

After holding a 35-30 advantage at halftime, Columbus State quickly scored the opening two hoops of the third quarter to take a 39-30 lead.  A three-pointer by junior Victoria Dye capped a 10-2 FMU run that drew the Patriots within 43-42 near the midway point of the period.

The Cougars stretched the margin back to three points (49-46) before a jumper by Burgins and two free throws by Watts put the Patriots ahead 50-49 heading to the final quarter.

A fast-break layup by Chandler and an inside bucket from Burgins completed an 8-0 spurt that expanded the Patriot margin to 54-49.  A jumper by freshman Shaunice Fulmore allowed FMU to retain a five-point margin at 56-51 with 7:34 left. 

Five points from Johnson drew CSU to within 57-56 with six minutes left.  FMU's defense would allow only two free throws the remainder of the contest as the Cougars missed their final eight field goal attempts and committed four turnovers. 

A free throw and a three-pointer from Watts pushed the FMU advantage to 61-56.  Following two free throws by CSU's Titiana Wayne, Watts scored on a jump hook in the middle of the lane and Burgins drained two charity tosses as FMU's lead swelled to 65-58 with 39 ticks on the clock.

Francis Marion shot 34.4 percent from the floor, was 4-of-15 from beyond the three-point arc, and hit 19-of-24 free throws.  Columbus State connected on 35.8 percent of its field goal attempts, was only 1-of-8 from three-point territory, and made 19-of-21 free throws.  However, CSU was only 8-of-29 over the final 20 minutes, including 0-for-3 from long range.

CSU led by as many as five points (9-4) in the opening quarter, but there were eight lead changes before the Cougars gained a 20-19 lead as the horn sounded.

The Cougars led by as many as six points on three occasions in the second period – the latter time at 30-24 – before leaving the court at halftime holding a 35-30 advantage.