FLORENCE, SC - Junior forward Jordyn Surratt paced Francis Marion University with a career-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting in a 95-80 loss to Chowan University on Wednesday (Jan. 8) night.
 
The Patriots' contest on Saturday at Shorter University in Rome, Ga., has been postponed due to the threat of winter weather.  FMU will continue Conference Carolinas play with a home contest against University of Mount Olive on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
 
While shooting 6-of-12 from the floor, FMU junior guard Jordan Simpson chipped in 18 points, while senior forward Ibrahim Wattara tallied 17 points and eight rebounds. Surratt added seven rebounds and four assist to his point total.
 
Senior guard Daylen Askew, who entered the game as the nation's eighth-leading scorer, led Chowan University (8-4, 5-1) with 30 points, including an amazing 7-of-7 night from beyond the three-point line.
 
The Hawks jumped to an early 8-0 lead over Francis Marion, a lead that they would never relinquish. After climbing back from the eight-point deficit, Wattara converted a bucket into a three-point play to leave the Patriots trailing 13-11.
 
Chowan opened the gap once again, using a 9-0 spurt to increase its margin to 35-21 with 5:15 left before halftime.  The lead swelled to 17 points before the Hawks carried a 46-33 advantage into the locker room.
 
In the opening minutes of the second half, Patriot junior forward Latavian Lawrence drained a three-point shot from corner to bring the Patriots to within five at 48-43. Francis Marion continued to close the deficit, getting as close as two points after a lay-up from Surratt brought the score to 69-67 with 6:19 remaining.
 
Two free throws by FMU junior Andres Arellano Jr. trimmed the gap to 72-69 with 5:21 left, but Chowan responded with a 15-1 run that sealed the outcome.