The Francis Marion University women's basketball team will open its 2025-26 season on Friday (Nov. 14) at the Conference Carolinas/South Atlantic Conference Challenge in Pembroke, N.C.  The Patriots will face eighth-ranked Coker University at 7:30 p.m. on UNC Pembroke's Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.

Francis Marion will conclude the two-day event by facing Wingate University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Under the direction of long-time head coach Jeri Porter, FMU returns two starters from last year's 23-7 squad that was co-champion of the Conference Carolinas East Division, reached the tournament title game, and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Earlier this month, the Patriots were picked as the favorite to win the conference crown according to the 2025-26 Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The returning starters include sophomore point guard Kiara Croskey, who averaged 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while earning the conference Freshman of the Year award, and junior center Trinity Delaney, who averaged 8.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg while shooting 46.3 from the field.  Also returning is junior guard MacKenzie Feagin (3.3 ppg).

Newcomers include four freshmen and seven transfers – including 5-5 senior guard Tyra Myers, who averaged 4.1 ppg in 16 games at Division I Stetson University last season.  As a freshman, Myers was an NEC All-Conference selection at St. Francis College Brooklyn.  Also new to the Patriot roster is 5-8 sophomore guard Terriana Gray (transfer from North Carolina Central University) and 5-11 senior forward Bentlee Chockley (Converse University).  Gray and Delaney were high school teammates at A.C. Flora High School.

The other transfers include 5-5 sophomore guard Angel Walker (Bluefield State University), 5-5 sophomore guard Jordan Mintz (Newberry College), 5-8 junior guard Uriah Jennings (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), and 5-11 junior post player Jasmine Grant (Limestone University).                                                                                                    (OVER)

The freshmen include 5-8 guard Jaliyah Benefield (Dacula, GA), 6-0 forward Mariana Moody (Lexington, SC), 5-4 guard Amaya Wroten (Hilton Head Island, SC), and 5-9 guard Rebecca Hammond (Marion, SC).

Following the opening weekend, the Patriots will play their home opener on Wednesday (Nov. 19) against Lenoir-Rhyne University at 5:30 p.m.

"With so many new faces this season, my key word has been patience," said Porter.  "They are talented, but new – and not inexperienced new – just new to each other.  We have been focusing on trying to find our identity and to mesh together.  I love our energy, they have been very coachable, and I've had fun this preseason."

"Our strength will be at the defensive end.  If we want to win, we must guard.  At this point, we are as good as or better than last year.  I look for us to be more aggressive in the full court and to create offensive opportunities off our defense.  The reality is that we are not going to score 80 points a game, so we must lock into a defensive identity."  Last year, the Patriots averaged a conference-best 76.4 points per game, while allowing 63.1 ppg.

"Croskey had a great freshman year, but now must evolve from mainly a distributor to a scoring point guard.  With all the minutes she logged last year, she is an experienced veteran, and with her on the court we are competitive with anyone.

"Delaney has put together solid back-to-back seasons, but must also take on a bigger scoring role in the post.  She can play with her back to the basket, but also face up and score.

"Among the newcomers, Myers and Chockley give us a pair of consistent shooters, who can both score in a number of ways.  Gray is athletic and will contribute at both ends of the floor, while both Benefield and Jennings are guards cut from the mold that we are looking for – players that are long, are good in the opening court, and can pressure defensively.

"Moody gives us a true rim protector who can block shots.  As a freshman, her ceiling is unbelievable.

"Our opening game, and our entire non-conference schedule, will challenge us.  We must face it as solid preparation for the conference slate."                           

The team's schedule consists of 28 games, including 13 home contests and a 20-game conference slate.

The 2026 Conference Carolinas Men's and Women's Basketball Championship Tournament will get underway on March 1 and 2 at on-campus sites.  The quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals are set for March 6, 7, and 8 at the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium on the campus of Wofford College.