FLORENCE, S.C. – The Francis Marion University women’s basketball team re-entered the national rankings this week at the No. 22 position in this week’s USA Today/ESPN NCAA Division II Top 25 poll, released Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 29).

Francis Marion entered the Top 25 poll for the first time in seven seasons two weeks ago at the No. 24 spot, but dropped out of the rankings last week following a narrow six-point road loss. FMU is the lone Peach Belt Conference school in this week’s poll, while undefeated Delta State University (17-0) continues to occupy the No. 1 position.

The Patriot women are 13-2 overall, with both losses coming on the road by five and six points. FMU is 6-2 in the Peach Belt, one-half game behind unranked Lander University (13-6, 7-2) for the conference lead.

FMU travels to Greenwood on Wednesday to face the Lady Bearcats in a 5:30 p.m. tip-off with first place going to the victor. The FMU men (8-7, 2-6) will face Lander (6-10, 3-6) at 7:30 p.m.

An audio broadcast and live stats will be available for both games at http://landerbearcats.athleticsite.com/

Francis Marion leads the all-time women’s series 47-18, but Lander won both meetings last year. The 47 victories are the most for the Patriots against any one opponent. Contrary, Lander leads the men’s series 42-34 with the 42 defeats being the most for FMU to any single opponent.

Francis Marion returns home to entertain North Georgia College & State University on Take A Kid to the Game (TAKG) Day, Saturday at 2 p.m. Admission for kids, 12-and-under, will be free, and a parent can get in for just one dollar. The SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Club from Moore Intermediate School will perform a routine at halftime of the men’s game that day.