AUGUSTA, GA. - She hopped up and down after her second consecutive 3-pointer in the first half. The large contingent of fans sitting behind the Francis Marion bench applauded wildly.

Nicole Mealing's return to Augusta State was a successful one as she posted 14 points in the 15th-ranked Patriots 86-62 win at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

"It was just another game," Mealing said. "I told all my family to come. Most of them made it."

Mealing, who was kicked off the Augusta State squad during her junior season in February by former coach Tes Sobomehin, shot 6 for 9 from the field.

Her sister, Courtney, posted a game-high 15 points off five 3-pointers.

"That's how we need to be shooting every game," Nicole Mealing said.

Francis Marion (11-2, 3-1) shot 50 percent from the field, with 22 assists and 13 steals.

Augusta State (1-13, 0-5) posted its third consecutive game shooting worse than 40 percent from the field. The Lady Jaguars connected on 17 of 46 field-goal attempts (37 percent), including a 7 for 24 performance in the second half.

Augusta State committed eight turnovers in the first five minutes of the game and finished with 31.
Stacey Lampkin led the Lady Jaguars with 14 points, while Briyana Evans had 12. Blaire Egardo added 11 points and Breanna Harris had 10.

"They played hard, They played with a lot of enthusiasm. We executed and attacked their pressure," Augusta State coach Clint Bryant said. "We need to get in better condition. We're still not in shape, but we're getting better."