CLINTON, S.C. – Presbyterian College placed three players in double figures and used a 22-3 advantage at the free throw line to claim a season-opening 69-61 victory over Francis Marion University, Tuesday night (Nov. 15) in women's basketball action at the Ross E.
Templeton Center.

The Lady Blue Hose led by as many as 22 points in the second half, but had to hold off a late Francis Marion rally to secure the victory. The Patriots cut into a double-figure lead in the final minutes and trailed by only eight points (67-59) with 17 seconds remaining after FMU sophomore Creshenda Singletary hit one of two free throw attempts. Presbyterian's Amy Jones hit a pair of free throws in the final seconds to seal the eight-point victory.

Francis Marion (0-1) was paced by sophomore guard Brittany Young who led three Patriots in double figures with 15 points.  Senior Danielle Moore tallied 14 points and eight rebounds, while Singletary had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Presbyterian (1-0) was led by senior forward Rebecca Wessinger with a game-high 17 points on five-of-eight shooting from the field.

Francis Marion hit only three of six from the charity stripe, while Presbyterian was 22 of 32.  The Patriots managed to hit only two of 19 shots from beyond the three-point stripe and were outrebounded 39-33.

The Lady Blue Hose opened the game with a 6-0 spurt, keyed by a three-point play from senior center Cameron Cook on the opening possession. The lead increased to 23-10 at the 6:07 mark of the first half when sophomore guard Amy Jones connected on the second of two free throw attempts.

FMU scored the next eight points to trim the lead to 23-18 on a layup by freshman guard Kirby Marsh with 4:20 remaining before halftime. Presbyterian closed the first half on a 10-6 run to lead 33-24 at intermission.

Presbyterian's Jones scored 15 points and added eight assists, while Cook chipped in 14 points and eight boards.

FMU will play host to local-rival Coker College, Friday at 6 p.m. as part of the Zaxby's Patriot Clazzic.

Newspaper Box Score
Francis Marion University vs Presbyterian College
11/15/05 6:00 pm at Ross E. Templeton Center (Clinton, S.C.)
At Ross E. Templeton Center (Clinton, S.C.)

PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE 69, FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY 61

FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY (0-1): Young, Brittany 7-11 0-0 15; Moore, Danielle 7-13 0-0 14; Singletary,Creshenda 4-11 2-5 10; Kiefer, Katie 3-5 1-1 7; Marsh, Kirby 2-5 0-0 4; Downer, Shonelle 2-4 0-0 4; Guilliams, Renee 1-11 0-0 3; Etheredge,Courtenay 1-1 0-0 2; Gandy-Miller, Sienna 1-1 0-0 2; Mack, Shavone 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-63 3-6 61.

PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE (1-0): Rebecca Wessinger 5-8 7-9 17; Amy Jones 3-7 6-8 15; Cameron Cook 6-9 2-3 14;Wesley Campbell 2-8 2-2 6; Marie Marquez 1-4 2-5 5; Heather Bramble 1-3 2-2 4; Bridget Takach 1-5 0-1 3; Sharie Hopkins 1-2 1-2 3; Kerianne Blease 1-2 0-0 2; Morgan Johnson 0-0 0-0 0; Jessica Parris 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-48 22-32 69.

Francis Marion University.....   24   37  -   61
Presbyterian College..............   33   36  -   69

3-point goals-Francis Marion University 2-19 (Young, Brittany 1-4; Guilliams, Renee 1-9; Singletary,Creshenda 0-3; Kiefer, Katie 0-1; Marsh,  Kirby 0-2), Presbyterian College 5-12 (Amy Jones 3-4; Marie Marquez 1-2; Bridget Takach 1-4; Wesley Campbell 0-2). Fouled out--None. Rebounds-Francis Marion University 33 (Singletary, Creshenda 10), Presbyterian College 39 (Wesley Campbell 10). Assists-Francis Marion University 13 (Singletary, Creshenda 3; Young, Brittany 3), Presbyterian College 17 (Amy Jones 8). Total fouls-Francis Marion University 27, Presbyterian College 16. A-302