FLORENCE, S.C. (Jan. 15) – Freshman
Chase Dawson and redshirt sophomore
Lureon Walker combined for 58 points on Wednesday night, as the Trojans suffered a 121-103 loss at Francis Marion in Conference Carolinas play.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive men's basketball program drops to 6-11 this season with a 4-5 mark in league action. The Patriots have won the last three meetings while the series is tied at an 8-8 record all-time. Meanwhile, Francis Marion improves to 5-10 overall behind a 3-4 record in conference play.
Dawson scored a career-high 36 points on 14-of-25 shooting while converting a perfect six-of-six from the free-throw line. He also added one rebound, three assists, and four steals in 31 minutes on the court. Dawson records his first 30-point performance and continues to pace the team with 20.6 points per game.
Walker totaled 22 points on 8-of-16 from the floor with four rebounds, four assists, and four steals in 30 minutes. Junior
Shawn Wilson contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and two assists in 18 minutes off the bench.
The Trojans established an early lead with a three-pointer from junior
Shane Peterson before FMU countered to take a 12-8 lead with 15:40 remaining in the first half. Mount Olive responded by scoring seven of the following nine points to take a 15-14 advantage, but the Patriots countered with a 13-2 run to establish a 27-17 lead. Francis Marion continued to maintain its lead before Dawson and Wilson combined for 11 points to trim the deficit to 40-36 with 5:55 left. FMU took a 57-50 lead into the break after the teams exchanged baskets in the final five minutes.
In the second half, Mount Olive rallied with a 15-6 run on five-of-seven shooting to claim a 65-63 edge with 16:33 to go. Over the next three-plus minutes, the contest was tied four times before Francis Marion went on a 20-6 rally to build a 96-82 advantage with 6:34 left in regulation. The Trojans cut the deficit to 100-90 with 5:12 remaining before the Patriots pulled away with a 121-103 win.
Mount Olive finished the contest shooting 36-of-79 (45.6 percent) from the floor while converting 81.3 percent (26-of-32) from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Francis Marion posted a .609 field goal percentage (42-of-69) and made 27-of-32 (84.4 percent) from the charity stripe. The Patriots finished with a 46-28 rebounding advantage while the Trojans scored 31 points off 21 turnovers.
FMU junior Jordan Simpson finished with 28 points on 9-of-16 shots while adding four rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes. Freshman Alex Atkinson tallied 28 points on 10-of-11 shooting with 15 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and six blocks in 33 minutes. Senior Ibrahim Wattara contributed 27 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in 33 minutes.
Mount Olive will face Southern Wesleyan on Saturday, Jan. 18, in Conference Carolinas play at 4 p.m.
