FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA - Although senior swingman Cole Deptula delivered 17 points, the Francis Marion University men's basketball team fell to the Emmanuel University Lions 83-67 in the Shaw Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 17) in a Conference Carolinas clash.
 
FMU drops to 4-12 overall, 4-4 in conference play, while the Lions improve to 8-11 overall and 5-6 in league play. The Patriots will play at home against the Panthers of Ferrum College on Monday, MLK Day, with a tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
Deptula went 4-for-11 from the floor, connected 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, and made 6-for-8 at the line. Sophomore guard Troy Santos had a dozen points and was 40 percent from the floor, while senior swingman Adonis Cole tallied nine points, eight rebounds, and four steals. Sophomore forward Clyde Mauldin and junior guard AuMauri Tillman both garnered eight points.
 
Ezra Mckee and Devin Story led the charge for Emmanuel, both scoring 19 points a-piece, with Mckee grabbing seven boards.
 
Deptula put on a clinic in the opening minutes of the game, scoring the first 12 points for the Patriots. Alongside the Verona, Wis., native, Cole and Mauldin made their contributions, with Tillman chiming in soon after. Emmanuel and Francis Marion then traded points before Santos sank a deep three to tie it with 51 seconds left in the first half. Free throws drained by junior forward Will Asken later tied it 35-35 going into the second half.
 
FMU took their time to find their rhythm at the start of the second half, giving up several consecutive turnovers. Cole, however, briefly gave life to the Patriots with looks in the paint. Francis Marion was hampered by Emmanuel's defense, committing 19 second-half turnovers despite only having five in the first stanza. Cole, Deptula, Santos, and Tillman all showed their efforts, however, Emmanuel ran away with the lead. The Lions remained in control of the rest of the game, outscoring FMU 48-32 in the half and shooting 58.3 percent from the field alongside 55.6 percent from three.
 
Overall, Francis Marion shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the floor and 70 percent (14-of-20) from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, Emmanuel finished with a 50.9 clip (27-of-53) from the field, 41.7 percent (10-of-24) from beyond the arc, and was 76 percent (19-of-25) from the line. The Patriots edged the Lions on the glass, 29-25, but were crippled by 24 turnovers, though FMU also forced 20 turnovers in return.