NEWBERRY, SC - Francis Marion University fifth-year senior forward Bryce Beamer tied his career high of 32 points, but the Patriots fell victim to a second-half rally by Newberry College and lost 83-76 on Wednesday (Nov. 29) night in men's basketball action.

Francis Marion (2-5) will return to the court on Saturday (Dec. 2) against Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C. Tip-off for the Conference Carolina opener is set for 4 p.m. 

Aside from Beamer's 32 points, he grabbed 11 boards, completing his third double-double of the season.  He shot 13-of-22 from the floor.

Following Beamer was fifth-year senior guard Tionne Rollins with 15 points, shooting 3-8 from beyond the three-point line. Rollins also led FMU with five steals.  Other Patriots scoring in double digits were senior forward Marlow Gilmore Jr. and junior forward Ibrahim Wattara with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Newberry's Jalen Johnson and James Lovorn led the Wolves (1-3) with 17 points apiece.

Starting off the night, Beamer drained his first jumper and put the Patriots up by two. With a pair of made shots from Rollins, Francis Marion trailed just behind the Wolves. Newberry held a close edge on FMU up until the fourth minute of the first half. The Patriots took their lead up by six (39-33) after a final bucket by Rollins.

Once again, Beamer was the first of both teams to score at the start of the second stanza. Francis Marion extended its lead to 12 points at the 16-minute mark with a pair of free throws by Gilmore Jr.  With a late burst from Newberry, the Wolves slowly climbed their way back within one point of the Patriots and exchanged leads after a made jumper from Devario Sheppard. Newberry held the lead for the remainder of the game despite FMU pushing for extra points in the final minute of the contest.


11/29/23 7:30 pm at Newberry, SC
NEWBERRY 83, FRANCIS MARION 76
FRANCIS MARION (2-5)
Bryce Beamer 13-22 3-4 32; Tionne Rollins 6-16 0-0 15; Marlow Gilmore Jr.
4-9 4-9 12; Ibrahim Wattara 5-9 0-0 11; Niko Noumeros 1-7 2-2 4; Chandler
O'Bannon 1-3 0-0 2; Adonis Cole 0-4 0-0 0; Farid SaintCyr Jr. 0-0 0-0 0.
Totals 30-70 9-15 76.
NEWBERRY (1-3)
Jalen Johnson 5-13 3-3 17; James Lovorn 5-10 5-6 17; Malik Joseph 5-6 2-2
14; Devario Sheppard 5-11 4-4 14; Caleb Byrd 3-5 2-2 11; Booker Cusaac 2-4
2-3 6; Drake Downs 2-6 0-0 4; Sam Gibson 0-0 0-0 0; Bobby Taylor 0-2 0-0 0.
Totals 27-57 18-20 83.
Francis Marion..............   39   37  -   76
Newberry......................   33   50  -   83
3-point goals--Francis Marion 7-28 (Bryce Beamer 3-11; Tionne Rollins 3-8;
Ibrahim Wattara 1-2; Niko Noumeros 0-5; Marlow Gilmore Jr. 0-2), Newberry
11-26 (Jalen Johnson 4-11; Caleb Byrd 3-3; James Lovorn 2-4; Malik Joseph
2-3; Bobby Taylor 0-1; Devario Sheppard 0-4). Fouled out--Francis
Marion-Tionne Rollins, Newberry-None. Rebounds--Francis Marion 38 (Bryce
Beamer 11), Newberry 36 (Malik Joseph 7). Assists--Francis Marion 10 (Bryce
Beamer 3), Newberry 14 (Devario Sheppard 6). Total fouls--Francis Marion 18,
Newberry 14. Technical fouls--Francis Marion-TEAM. A-213