MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Four Patriots scored in double figures led by senior guard Brittany Young's 18 points as Francis Marion University handed first-year head coach Heather Macy a season-opening 78-63 win over Mount Olive College, Saturday afternoon (Nov. 17) in women’s basketball action.

Following Young was junior Ebony Allen and sophomore Yasmean Dixon with 17 points apiece, while junior transfer Kevina Ransom added 15 points, six assists and eight steals. The eight thefts were two shy of the school record.

The victory was FMU’s first season-opening win in four years and the largest margin of victory in a season-opening win in nine campaigns.

Francis Marion sprinted to an early 18-8 advantage after a basket by Dixon with 10:36 left in the first half.  Mount Olive cut the lead in half after Lakeisha Monroe’s fast-break layup pulled the Trojans to within 20-15. However, FMU newcomer YaRiah Bell capped an 8-0 run with a layup and the Patriots took their biggest lead of the stanza at 28-15 with 6:11 remaining.

Mount Olive held FMU without a field goal for more than six minutes and Tomeka Prichard’s offensive rebound set up Brittany Miller’s 12-foot baseline jumper to pull the Trojans to within 29-25 with 39 seconds left. But Dixon scored four points in the final five seconds before halftime, capped by a basket underneath just before the buzzer, to give Francis Marion a 34-25 halftime advantage.

A pair of three-pointers by Young sparked a 22-4 Patriot run early in the second half that produced the biggest margin of the game at 56-32 with 11:38 left to play. The margin was still over 20 points with five minutes remaining when Mount Olive made one last run.

After baskets by Monroe and Helen Moore chipped into the deficit, Miller hit a three-pointer from the left corner and completed the four-point play with a free throw to pull the Trojans within 71-59 with 2:53 remaining.  FMU's Allen answered with a three-point play for Francis Marion and Mount Olive never got any closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

Monroe paced Mount Olive (0-1) with 18 points and five assists, while Moore finished with 13 points and Keona Corley scored 11 points. Moore and Corley also dished out five assists apiece. Sierra Medeiros pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.

Francis Marion plays its home opener against Milligan College, Tuesday at 7 p.m. on "Hollar for a Dollar Night.” Everyone attending the game, regardless of age, will be admitted for $1. FMU students are admitted free with their ID card.