FLORENCE, S.C.  |  Six Mountain Lions scored in double figures led by Justin Jones and Ryle Owens with 25 points apiece as Young Harris College defeated Francis Marion University 120-119 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Saturday (Jan. 5) afternoon at the Smith University Center.

The Mountain Lions improved to 5-7 overall and 3-3 in the PBC, while the Patriots fell to 7-2 and 3-1. The win was the first time YHC had won in Florence in four tries and snapped a 13-game Peach Belt road losing streak for the Mountain Lions dating back to Feb, 2017, Young Harris returns to action Wednesday (Jan. 9) as they host Clayton State University in a 7:30 p.m. PBC contest at the YHC Basketball Arena. 

It the third time this year that Young Harris has eclipsed the 100-point mark, including the second consecutive game of at least 120 points, The Mountain Lions, who have hit 45 three-pointers as a team in the past two games, shot 60 percent (21-of-35) from long distance and 56.0 percent (42-of-75) from the field against FMU.

The Mountain Lions jumped to a 16-5 advantage four minutes into the first half after a layup by Seth McCoy. Troy Cagle made it a 19-point lead (39-20) after a three-pointer at the 8:08 mark. The Patriots went on a 22-6 run over the next 6:11 to bring the score within three (45-42). Brian Harper gave Young Harris a 54-49 halftime lead after a made free throw with 11 seconds left before halftime. 

YHC hit a pair of three-pointers out of the gate to start the second half to take a 60-49 lead. The Patriots battled back-and-forth with the Mountain Lions and took a  104-103 lead at the 3:44 mark in the second half after a pair of free throws by Je'Quan Perry. 

Owens made it a 110-107 game for Young Harris with a three-pointer at the 2:29 mark. Francis Marion answered with a three-pointer of their own just 10 seconds later by Perry. Justin Jones gave the Mountain Lions the lead for good (113-110) with 1:58 to go in the second half with a three-pointer. Owens converted a pair of free throws to make it a 120-116 advantage for Young Harris with 10 seconds left in the half. 

Harper set a new Young Harris NCAA-era record and tied the PBC record as he dished out 19 assists in the win. Harper added seven points, three rebounds, and four steals. Jones tallied 25 points and three steals, Owens collected 25 points and four rebounds. Willis added 24 points off the bench, and Cagle had 12 points. McCoy and J.J. Flores each had 11 points.

Kailex Stephens put up a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Patriots, while Davis added a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Perry tallied 20 points and eight rebounds.