PEMBROKE – The intensity level and will to win is there.

But the lack of execution down the stretch continues to haunt The University of North Carolina at Pembroke men’s basketball team.

Kevin Clark’s block of a Demarcus Lyday shot attempt with under a minute remaining secured Francis Marion’s 59-54 victory Wednesday night at the Jones Center, sending the Braves to their seventh consecutive loss and 13th in Peach Belt Conference play this season.

UNCP (5-17, 2-13 PBC) fought back to within two at 52-50 with 31 seconds on the clock before Clark’s swat in the lane. Lyday drove the left baseline and tried arching a floater over the Patriots' center, but Clark quickly retained possession.

The Braves had trailed 46-40 with 5:58 remaining in the game following a quick 6-0 Patriots’ run that included a pair of breakaway baskets in transition.

“They made plays and we fumbled our chances away,” UNCP coach Ben Miller said after the Braves gave away possession 18 times. “Our guys kept fighting but we just couldn’t score when we needed to.”

Francis Marion (14-7, 7-7 PBC) looked to put the Braves away early in the second half after UNCP’s floor leader, Marcus Heath, had to sit with four fouls. The freshman guard scored just seven points, but was one of the few Braves who was able to penetrate in the paint against the taller Patriots.

“We ask a lot of Marcus and he’s only a freshman,” said Miller. “He had a few turnovers tonight but that’s normal. He’s getting some beneficial game experience this season."

UNCP’s defense stepped up in Heath’s absence over the next five minutes and held Francis Marion shooters to just two made field goals during the span.

“We played great defense at different points tonight,” Miller said.

The Braves started off the game hot from long range, hitting 5-of-7 shots from beyond the arc in the first half. The streaky shooting didn’t continue after intermission as UNCP managed to knock down just 1-of-11 attempts in the second half. Senior guard Cortez Brown matched a career high with five 3-pointers to go along with five rebounds.

Brandon Thomas pulled down 15 rebounds, including 10 in the first half, to anchor UNCP's post play.

Patriots’ point guard Crayton Jones shared team-high scoring honors with Houston Power. Both players scored 14 points to lead Francis Marion.