FLORENCE, S.C. -- Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team took a 20-point lead midway through the fourth quarter as they worked themselves to a 73-58 win to Francis Marion. This marked the Lady Hurricanes first Peach Belt Conference win of the shortened season. 

Lex Chatman finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds for her ninth career double-double, pushing her into fourth place in GSW history. 

How It Happened: GSW took a 2-0 lead to open the game but that didn't last as Francis Marion quickly tied the game. They quickly took the lead with back-to-back three-pointers to take a 9-6 lead right before the first media break. The Lady Hurricanes managed to tie the game at 15 but another three-pointer by Francis Marion pushed them to an 18-15 lead to end the first quarter. 

Jaleah Storr scored quickly to open the second quarter but a three by the Patriots opened the lead back up to three as they trailed 20-17 with 7:04 remaining in the half. Storr remained steady, a three-point play tied the game at 20-20 but yet again, back-to-back three's but Francis Marion pushed their lead to six points. After trading scores, Jamesha Samuel was able to get fouled while drowning the shot, tieing the game at 28-28 at the half. 

GSW opened the second half with a quick score to take the lead as Daelyn Craig got into the paint for a quick layup. GSW was able to go up by four points, 32-28 before Francis Marion was able to get on the board in the third quarter. Samuel had seven points as GSW erupted on a 15-4 double-digit lead on Francis Marion to take a 50-39 lead going into the final 10 minutes. 

The Patriots cut the lead to single digits, 50-42, to open the fourth quarter but a three by Samuel pushed it back to double-digits, 53-42. GSW stayed on a strong run, going on a 15-4 to take a huge 20-point lead, 68-48, with 4:32 remaining in the game. The Lady Hurricanes kept the lead as they finished with their first PBC win of the season, 73-58.

GSW finished the game shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 69.2 percent from the line while FMU shot 32.1 and 75 percent, respectively. The Lady Hurricanes also led with a 17-13 assist ratio while also forcing 14 steals with 22 turnovers. 

Who Stood Out: Samuel led the team with 25 points and four rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field. Chatman finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds while Storr finished with 13 points. 

Kiana Adderton led FMU with 20 points and six rebounds while Jasmyne May, Aniyah Oliver and Scarlett Gilmore each contributed 10 points.  

Up Next: GSW returns home to host Georgia College inside the Storm Dome on January 13 for a 5:30 p.m. start time.