FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University outscored King University (Tenn.) 27-9 in the third quarter en route to a 65-54 Conference Carolinas win, Saturday afternoon (Jan. 25) in women's basketball play.
 
The Patriots improve to 13-4 overall and 8-2 in conference action.  FMU's next three games will be on the road, starting with a 5 p.m. tip-off at Chowan University on Wednesday night.  (PLEASE NOTE the change as earlier schedules had the game on Tuesday)
 
The backcourt tandem of senior Kennedi Simmons and freshman Kiara Crosby each scored 16 points to lead Francis Marion.  Croskey also registered four assists and four steals.  All 16 of Simmons' points came in the second half as the Patriots rallied from a 27-20 halftime deficit.  She connected on 6-of-8 field goals over the final 20 minutes, including 4-of-4 from behind the three-point arc.
 
FMU senior Jada Richards added 12 points and seven rebounds, while junior Trinity Adams tallied 11 points, seven rebounds, and four steals.
 
Senior forward Mariya Williams led King (8-10, 6-5) with 15 points.
 
The Tornado blew to a quick 14-4 advantage and held an 18-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.  Francis Marion managed only 1-of-12 shooting from the floor in the second period, was outscored 9-7, and trailed 27-20 at intermission.
 
Two quick buckets by Richards sparked a 12-5 run to open the third period that knotted the score at 32-32.  After a free throw put the Tornado up 33-32, a three-pointer by Simmons started a 10-0 spurt that gave FMU the lead for good.  The run also included two inside hoops by sophomore Trinity Delaney and a three-pointer by Richards.  The margin grew to 47-36 at the end of the quarter following a steal and lay-in by Croskey.
 
A three-pointer by Simmons opened the final period and put FMU up 50-36.  King narrowed the lead to eight points at 52-44 with 5:18 remaining, but the Patriots gradually pulled away.  Francs Marion led by as many as 17, at 65-48, after a lay-up by Richards with 1:30 left.
 
After the cold shooting start, Francis Marion connected on 57.6 percent of its shot in the second half, including 6-of-11 three-point attempts.  In contrast, the Patriots held King to 30.3 percent shooting in the second half.
 
FMU forced 20 King turnovers which were converted into 22 points, and the Patriots held a 23-7 advantage in fast-break points.
 
The Patriots have won 27 of their last 29 home contests in the Smith University Center.