DAHLONEGA, GA – Junior point guard TeTe Flowers scored a game-high 18 points as Francis Marion University made first-year head coach Jeri Porter's debut on the Patriot bench a successful one as FMU claimed a 73-65 victory over Erskine College, Friday afternoon (Nov. 13) in the opening game of the Peach Belt Conference/Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Challenge in Dahlonega, Ga.

Francis Marion (1-0) will face North Greenville University at noon on Saturday on the second day of the annual event.  Erskine (0-1) will face the host University of North Georgia Nighthawks.

Flowers was also playing her initial contest as a Patriot after transferring from Volunteer State Community College.  She connected on 5-of-10 field goal attempts, including her only three-point shot, and was 7-of-10 at the foul line.

Sophomore forward Briana Burgins followed Flowers with 14 points, nine rebounds, and four steals, while 5-11 senior center Alaysia Watts tallied 10 points and nine rebounds.  Freshman Shaunice Fulmore added eight points off the bench.

Megan Marrah led Erskine with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Patriots led 22-17 at the end of the first 10-minute quarter and 45-33 at halftime.  FMU made half of its 34 first-half shots, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, and was 7-of-9 at the free throw stripe.

The margin stretched to 64-50 at the conclusion of the third period.  FMU's shooting cooled somewhat in the second stanza, but the Patriots did make 13-of-20 free throws over the final 20 minutes to hang on for the win.

The Patriots committed only 12 turnovers while forcing 24 miscues by the Flying Fleet.

Porter, who has 15 years experience as a college head coach at both the NCAA Division I and II levels, is the 13th mentor in the history of the storied Patriot hoops program.  She is the 10th coach to start her tenure with a win.