FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion men's basketball program was defeated by Morris College in the season-opener on Monday evening (Nov. 9) by an 81-78 margin in the Smith University Center. Redshirt freshman guard
TJ Lewis was the standout player for the Patriots with 25 points, going 15-for-18 from the line along with eight boards.
FMU will compete in the Conference Crossover tournament this weekend hosted by USC Beaufort, where it faces Flagler College on Friday, Nov. 13 at 3 p.m. before facing the host Sand Sharks at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Other contributors included sophomore guard
Da'Ron Dunbar finishing with 12 points on five-of-eight shooting with two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 20 minutes. Sophomore guard
Camryn Pacheco had 11 points, five rebounds, four steals, and two blocks. The final Patriot to reach double figures was
Emmanuel Okitondo with 10 points.
Morris guard Troy Butler impressed with 23 points (7-of-18 FG), seven assists, and a near-perfect 8-9 from the stripe.
Francis Marion jumped out to an early 10-2 lead in the opening half before Morris responded with a 16-4 run to make the score 18-14 in favor of the Hornets. FMU answered with a surge of its own, as Okitondo knocked down a three, added two free throws, and Dunbar finished a breakaway dunk to put the Patriots back in front, 21-18.
Morris battled back with a 7-0 run to knot the score at 27-27. The teams continued exchanging baskets in the closing minutes of the half before Pacheco came up with a steal with 33 seconds remaining, setting up a fastbreak layup for Dunbar. However, a foul in the final seconds sent Morris to the free-throw line, where the Hornets converted to take a narrow 36-35 lead into the break.
In the second half, the teams traded baskets before FMU surged ahead, with Dunbar scoring twice in the paint and senior swingman
Jaiden Cancela adding a layup and free throw to help the Patriots take a 47-45 lead. Morris answered with a 5-0 run to reclaim a 50-47 advantage. Later on a run from FMU, the Patriots gained a 60-52 cushion.
FMU maintained its edge, but the Hornets continued to apply pressure. The Patriots were up by three with 1:40 left to go when the Hornets buried a three to tie the game, 77-77. However, the late rally gave Morris a 79-78 lead with 55 seconds left before a late fast break dunk put Morris ahead by three points, 81-78.
FMU had a final opportunity from beyond the arc, but Pacheco's three-point attempt missed the mark.
