FLORENCE, SC - Four Patriots scored in double-figures as the Francis Marion women's basketball team emerged victorious against Shorter University, 74-67, in the Smith University Center on Saturday evening (Nov. 22). Senior forward Bentlee Chockley blazed the trail with 19 points and six rebounds.
 
The Patriots improved their overall record to 3-1 and 1-0 in conference play, while the Hawks fell to 1-2 and 0-1. The next game for FMU is at home versus the University of Mount Olive Trojans on Tuesday with a tip-off at 5:30 p.m.
 
Chockley shot 46 percent (7-of-15) from the floor and 45 percent (5-of-11) from beyond the arc, while sophomore guard Kiara Croskey had an overall game with 17 points, five assists, four steals, and four boards. Junior forward Jasmine Grant recorded her first double-digit scoring game of the season with 13 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Freshman forward Mariana Moody also stepped up with a 12-point performance with seven boards, an assist, and a steal.
 
The Patriots and Hawks went back-and-forth throughout the first quarter, with contributions from Croskey, Chockley, Grant, and Moody.  A layup by sophomore guard Terriana Gray put FMU ahead to 10-8. Although the Hawks put in their two cents, Francis Marion ended the quarter still in the lead, 12-11.
 
It was a tight contest at the start of the second before Shorter answered quickly with a small surge. Buckets from Grant, Chockley, and Moody helped pace FMU, however the Hawks claimed the lead going into the second half, 31-28.

Francis Marion opened the third quarter with a quick 4-0 run before Shorter briefly regained the lead. FMU answered as Gray scored in transition and Grant finished a layup off a steal to move ahead 36-35. Croskey later nailed a three that capped a 7-0 run, followed by back-to-back layups from Moody. Shorter rallied to take a 46-45 lead, but Croskey converted a three-point play with one second remaining to send the Patriots into the fourth up 48-46.

In the fourth, both teams had momentum on their side. Although Shorter tied it, Chockley knocked down her second three of the quarter alongside a basket from Croskey that kept FMU ahead. Moody swished a mid-range jumper and junior guard Uriah Jennings scored in transition off of her own steal to make it 70-67. Gray hit a jumper before Croskey iced it at the line, sealing FMU's 74-67 victory.