FLORENCE, SC - Sophomore guard Kiara Croskey made her presence known with a dominant performance to help the Francis Marion women's basketball team defeat Lenoir-Rhyne University 68-63 in the Smith University Center on Wednesday evening (Nov. 19). Croskey had 22 points alongside 13 rebounds, six assists, and five steals. 
 
With the victory, both FMU and LRU sit at an overall record of 2-1. The next game for Francis Marion is on Saturday at 2 p.m. against Shorter University at home to open up conference play.
 
Croskey, a native of Sumter, S.C., native was 50 percent from the field (8-of-16) and flawless at the line as well (6-of-6). Aside from Croskey recording her first double-double of the season, key factors in tonight's win included junior guard Uriah Jennings with 10 points, sophomore guard Terriana Gray who tallied nine points and seven boards, and senior guard Tyra Myers who garnered eight points.
 
The Patriots started off strong in the first quarter as Croskey sparked a 6-0 run with consecutive buckets. Lenoir-Rhyne responded with a surge of their own, swinging the momentum back in their favor. FMU trimmed the gap to one when Myers converted a putback to make it 11-10, but the Bears closed the period with a late score to take a 15-11 lead into the second quarter.
 
FMU sophomore guard Angel Walker buried a fastbreak three to open the second quarter alongside Jennings with a transition layup, cutting LRU's lead to 17-16. The Bears attempted to slow down the Patriots, but they went on a 6-0 run, fueled by a three-pointer from freshman guard Jaliyah Benefield and another from Myers. LRU went on a run behind Aaliyah El, who scored seven straight points, to tie the game at 28-28. Patriot senior forward Bentlee Chockley, who ended with seven points and seven boards, soon finished a fastbreak layup to tie the score at 30-30 heading into halftime.
 
The Patriots seized control of the third quarter as they scored 10 points off LRU turnovers. Walker's jumper and two free throws from freshman forward Mariana Moody extended the lead to 38-34. FMU went full throttle to complete the 10-0 run thanks to Croskey, Walker, and Gray in transition to push it to 44-34. LRU made a late push, but FMU answered immediately with the help of Jennings and Gray. Croskey added two more free throws to close out the quarter, 52-44. Fourteen Patriot points came from in the paint in the third.
 
In the final quarter, LRU had to fight from behind and ultimately cut the deficit to 56-51 after a three-point play. FMU soon countered with a jumper from Jennings and a free throw. Although the Bears had a small burst, the Patriots returned the favor. Myers buried a momentum-changing three-pointer with 1:55 left, swinging the lead back to FMU, 64-62. Francis Marion capitalized on later trips to the line, with Croskey delivering two clutch free throws with 0:34 to go. Jennings and Chockley added additional insurance at the stripe in the final minute. Despite LRU's late attempts to close the gap, FMU controlled the final possessions and sealed the hard-fought 68-63 win.