November 24, 2009

Patriot Women crack Top 25, host two Holiday games

The unbeaten Francis Marion University women's basketball team entered the USA TODAY ESPN Division II Top 25 coaches' poll this week at the No. 22 position.  The Patriots will also offer holiday shoppers a break from the hustle and bustle with a pair of afternoon games this holiday weekend.

FMU will entertain St. Augustine's College on Friday at 2 p.m. and Allen University on Saturday at 2 p.m., both in the Smith University Center.

General admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students (FMU students are admitted free with their ID).

Francis Marion was ranked 14th in the final 2008-09 poll after finishing 27-5 and reaching the round of Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.  The Patriots were unranked in the 2009-10 preseason poll, but were the top school among the others receiving votes.

The Patriots are 3-0 after a trio of big wins over Converse College, Fayetteville State University, and Coker College.  St. Augustine's is a member of the CIAA and is 2-1 on the young season.

FMU leads the all-time series with Lady Falcons 4-0, although the teams have not met since the 2001-02 season.

Senior forward Precious Tucker leads Francis Marion with a 14.7 points per game average and 7.7 rebounds per game, while junior Shannon Singleton-Bates is averaging 12.7 ppg.

Francis Marion has not lost a non-conference game since January 4, 2007, having won 17 straight under third-year coach Heather Macy.  FMU has also won 17 of its last 18 home contests.

 

USA TODAY ESPN DIVISION II TOP 25 COACHES' POLL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Week 1 Poll: November 24, 2009
 
Rank      Institution - First Place Votes                      PW        Rcd         Points
1              Michigan Technological University - 25      1            3-0          696
2              Franklin Pierce University (N.H.)               2            2-0          656
3              California University of Pennsylvania        3            2-0          626
4              Delta State University (Miss.) - 1             4            3-0          587
5              Fort Lewis College (Colo.) - 2                    5            6-0          584
6              Minnesota State University, Mankato       6            3-0          552
7              Emporia State University (Kan.)               7            3-0          529
8              University of Alaska Anchorage                8            2-0          499
9              West Texas A&M University                     10          3-0          426
10           University of Indianapolis (Ind.)                11          2-0          412
11           Gannon University (Pa.)                           19           6-0          362
12           University of California-San Diego             14           1-0          335
13           Clayton State University (Ga.)                  13           0-0          324
14           Seattle Pacific University (Wash.)             16           2-0          321
15           Northern Kentucky University                  15           2-0          309
16           Washburn University (Kan.)                     18           1-0          290
17           University of Tampa (Fla.)                        22           3-0          203
18           University of Central Oklahoma                12           2-1          186
19           Quincy University (Ill.)                             24           3-0          160
20           Drury University (Mo.)                             NR           3-0          135
21           Stonehill College (Mass.)                          9             4-2          120
22           Francis Marion University (S.C.)               NR           3-0          108
23           Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.)                20            2-1          93
24           Johnson C. Smith University (N.C.)          NR           4-0          81
25           Holy Family University (Pa.)                     17           1-1          73

Others Receiving Votes: University of South Carolina-Aiken 45; Lander University (S.C.) - 43; Concordia University, St. Paul (Minn.) - 34; Carson-Newman College (Tenn.) - 33; Arkansas Tech University - 32; Virginia State University - 28; Shaw University (N.C.) - 19; Indiana University of Pennsylvania - 18; Augustana College (S.D.) - 16; Millersville University of Pennsylvania - 16; Minnesota State University, Moorhead - 14; Grand Valley State University (Mich.) - 13; Bentley University (Mass.) - 12; Fort Valley State University (Ga.) - 12; College of Saint Rose (N.Y.) - 10; Barton College (N.C.) - 9; Caldwell College (N.J.) - 9; Georgia College & State University - 8; Hillsdale College (Mich.) - 8; Philadelphia University (Pa.) - 7; Rollins College (Fla.) - 5; Seton Hill University (Pa.) - 5; University of Findlay (Ohio) - 5; University of The Incarnate Word (Texas) - o 5; Texas Woman's University - 4; Valdosta State University (Ga.) - 4; West Chester University of Pennsylvania - 4; Molloy College (N.Y.) - 3; Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.) - 3; Southeastern Oklahoma State University - 3; Adams State College (Colo.) - 2; University of Charleston (W. Va.) - 2; Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) - 1; University of Minnesota-Duluth - 1.