Florence, S.C – The University of Mount Olive men's basketball team dropped a 99-89 contest to Francis Marion University on Tuesday night in Florence, South Carolina.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Francis Marion 99, Mount Olive 89
Records:  Francis Marion (3-4, 0-0 PBC), Mount Olive (1-7, 0-3 CC)
Location: Smith University Center, Florence, S.C.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play

FIRST HALF

• Right out of the gate, UMO emerged as the aggressor as the Trojans jumped out to a 20-9 lead just five minutes into the opening half on back-to-back triples by freshman Cameron Robinson.
• The Trojans' double-digit advantage would not last long as a 5-0 run by the Patriots narrowed UMO's lead to 20-14 with 12:09 left in the first half.
• Another made three by Robinson gave UMO a double-digit lead once more at 32-21 with eight minutes left in the half, but FMU closed the period on a 25-6 run to take a 46-38 lead into the break.

SECOND HALF

• Mount Olive attempted to chip away at the Patriots' lead, but were met with a corresponding run by FMU each time through the first seven minutes of the second frame.
• The Trojans cut into FMU's lead little-by-little until back-to-back threes and a layup by freshman Juwan Smith tied the game at 70-70 with just under ten minutes left to play.
• As was true most of the game, the Patriots answered right back, this time using a 14-2 run to jump out to an 84-72 lead in route to the 99-89 victory.

KEY STATS

• Smith scored a personal collegiate-high and team season-high 27 points in the loss.
• Robinson and sophomore Dedric Byrd each added 17 points for the Trojans.
• UMO shot 39.4% (28-71) while Francis Marion shot 56.9% (33-58) from the field.
• The Patriots topped the Trojans in the rebound battle, 42-33.
• Francis Marion's Detrek Browning led all-scorers with 33 points.

UP NEXT
The Trojans return home to face North Greenville University in Kornegay Arena on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. Bring an unwrapped toy to support Toys for Tots and receive free admission to Saturday's doubleheader.