FLORENCE, S.C. – After a nine-day break for exams, the Francis Marion University women’s basketball team returns to action Thursday (Dec. 16) when the Patriots travel to face 11th-ranked Anderson College in a 7 p.m. match-up.

    The 3-5 Patriots are led in scoring and rebounding by 5-10 freshman forward Creshenda Singletary with averages of 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.  Senior guard Jennifer Howard is averaging 11.4 ppg coming off the Patriot bench, while 6-0 junior Danielle Moore is averaging 10.3 ppg.

    Anderson (7-1) entered the WBCA/ESPN /USA Today Top 25 poll for the first in school history this year.  The Lady Trojans’ lone loss was a six-point decision to now sixth-ranked Bentley College in the second game of the season.

    FMU leads the all-time series 13-4, including 10 straight wins dating back to the 1975-76 season.  However, the Patriots have lost 10 straight games to nationally ranked opponents and are 11-14 against ranked foes over the past eight seasons.

    Following Thursday’s contest, Francis Marion will take a break for Christmas and then return to action Dec. 30-31 at the All-State Insurance Classic in Spartanburg.  FMU will face Winston-Salem State University at 1 p.m. on Dec. 30 and North Carolina Central University, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.

    The next Patriot home game will be Jan. 5 against Peach Belt Conference opponent Lander University.

#60/12-15-04