MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - Melvin Creddle scored 27 points and seventh-ranked Mount Olive College closed the game with an 18-5 run to rally for a 74-58 win over Francis Marion University, Tuesday evening (Nov. 22) in men's basketball action.

FMU (2-2) was led by senior Vony Rivers with 18 points and senior George Walker with 16 points.

After Mount Olive (3-0) took a 3-0 lead on Victor Young's three-pointer in the first minute, Francis Marion used three consecutive field goals by Raymond Dorsey to take the lead and stay on top for the rest of the half. The Trojans cut an eight-point deficit to three after a three-pointer and a pair of free throws by Paulius Dzuigelis, but Walker scored seven points in a 9-0 run to give the Patriots a 30-18 lead with 1:34 remaining.  Creddle converted a three-point play and Maurice Horton hit a baseline jumper at the buzzer to pull Mount Olive to within 30-23 at
halftime.

A three-pointer by Michael Jenkins to open the second stanza gave FMU a 33-23 lead.  Mount Olive answered with an 11-0 run as Creddle's three-point play gave the Trojans their first lead since the opening minute of the game. Vony Rivers hit a pair of three-pointers to give FMU a 39-34 lead, but Creddle answered with a layup and a three-pointer to tie the game at 39-39. Creddle scored 14 consecutive points for Mount Olive.

The lead changed hands six more times before Elton Coffield hit two free throws to break a 51-51 tie with 8:17 left in the game and put Mount Olive ahead to stay. The Trojans built the lead to seven on Horton's steal at midcourt and fastbreak layup, but Rivers answered with his fourth three-pointer of the second half to pull Francis Marion within 60-56 with 5:15 left in the game.

Mount Olive hit 5-of-6 free throws and Creddle's steal and layup extended the Trojans' lead to double digits at 67-56. Creddle hit pne of two free throws, then found Young for an alley-oop slam dunk to make the score 70-56 with 1:41 remaining. Young hit four consecutive free throws for the Trojans before Rivers' basket with 30 seconds left ended Francis Marion's scoring drought.

After committing only 37 turnovers in its first three games, Francis Marion committed 28 miscues on Tuesday night leading to 27 Mount Olive.  FMU was only one of four from the foul line, while Mount Olive was 25 of 36 from the stripe.

Creddle scored 22 of his game-high 27 points in the second half.  Young finished with 12 points for Mount Olive, while Coffield added 11. Horton finished with eight points and six steals for the Trojans and Elijah Rouse pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Creddle was 9-for-13 from the field.

Francis Marion will play host to Mars Hill College, Saturday at 4 p.m.