FLORENCE, S.C. -- The Georgia Southwestern State University women's basketball team dug itself into an early hole on the way to a 73-57 defeat at Francis Marion in the Lady Canes first Peach Belt Conference road game of the season Sunday.

Tamecia Blue scored 14 points and recorded three steals of the bench to lead GSW (4-2, 1-1 PBC) while Shanya Jones added 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Lady Canes. Francis Marion was led by Briana Burgins with 21 points, nine rebounds, six assists and six steals.

How It Happened: The two teams exchanged baskets for much of the first quarter as neither team held more than a four point lead. Two free throws from Shanya Jones gave the Lady Canes a two point lead with three minutes remaining before FMU scored seven of the last eight points to take a four point lead after one.

The second quarter belonged to the Patriots as they used an early 8-0 run to outscore GSW 23-13 in the quarter to take a 14 point lead into the locker room. An early run in the third led FMU to its biggest lead of the game at 22 before the Lady Canes were able to end the Patriots run and get some baskets at the offensive end.

One of the top 3-point shooting teams in the conference heading into the game, GSW shot just 1-of-8 (12.5 percent) from deep in the game and just 31.7 percent from the floor. The Lady Canes shot 69.6 percent from the free throw line (16-of-23), but turned the ball over 30 times leading to 23 Francis Marion points.

The Patriots outrebounded the Lady Canes 51-44 and held a 12 point advantage in points in the paint. 

Who Stood Out: Tamecia Blue had a strong game for the second outing in a row going for 14 points of the bench on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor to go along with three rebounds and three steals. Tyisha Moore recorded her second double-double in the last three games, scoring 12 points to go along with 14 rebounds. Sophomore Mariya Trimble also posted her first double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. 

Up Next: The Lady Canes play their final game before the Christmas break at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday at UNC Pembroke.