AMERICUS — Chris Rawls scored a game-high 23 points to lead five players in double figures as Georgia Southwestern knocked off previously unbeaten Francis Marion, 92-79, on Saturday at the Storm Dome.

GSW (5-4, 1-1) trailed by as many as 11 in the first half and led by as many as 13 in the second half.

Rawls made 15 of 18 free throws, and Marcus Scott scored 15 of his 18 points in the first half to keep the Hurricanes only at a two-point deficit (40-38) at halftime.

Damayrius Adside scored 22 points, Anthony Sargent had 11 and Evan Mobley scored 11, including 10 over a five-minute span of the second half, said coach Mike Leeder.

The Hurricanes shot 59 percent in the second half and made 33 of 41 free throws in the game. They held a 41-36 edge in rebounds and committed only eight turnovers compared with 12 assists.

“It was good for us to give them their first loss,” said Leeder. “I thought it was a really good way to start the new year.

“We got off to a terrible start, but Chris kept us alive in the first half. Once we took the lead, we never gave it up. We had different guys play really well in stretches.”

Francis Marion (8-1, 1-1) shot 39 percent in the second half and pulled to within 74-72 with Kendrick Robinson layup at the 5:55 mark. But GSW pushed it back to 81-72 thanks to free throws from Rawls and Adside.

The Patriots committed 33 fouls and had three to foul out, in large part to Rawls, said Leeder.

“When he posts up — he’s only 6-7 and 185 pounds — but he works so hard around the basket,” he said. “He’s outworking their guys, and they were subbing in one after another. Chris was the best post player on the floor.”

It was the second-straight game GSW had five players score in double figures. It heads to Columbus State on Monday night.

“We’re turning the corner it looks like, and we’re getting a better feel for each other,” said Leeder. “Hopefully when we defend and share the ball, we’ll have a chance every night out.”

Women

Francis Marion 93, GSW 79