February 23, 2010

Patriot Women now 18th; Hoopsters in FLA

FLORENCE, SC - Following two wins last week, including one over a top-10 opponent, the Francis Marion University women's basketball team moved up one position to 18th in this week's USA TODAY ESPN Division II Top 25 coaches' poll released on Tuesday (Feb. 23).  Both FMU basketball teams are in the Sunshine State to make their first-ever visit to Flagler College for a key Peach Belt Conference doubleheader on Wednesday evening.

The women's game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's contest at 7:30 p.m.  Follow all the action and results of the twinbill through the FMU athletics website at www.fmupatriots.com.

The Francis Marion women have won 12 of their last 13 games to run their overall record to 22-3.  The Patriots are second in the PBC's East Division (one game back) with a 14-2 mark.  The Patriots still have a chance at their third straight PBC regular-season championship.  FMU has already earned the right to host a first-round game in the PBC Tournament, March 2 at 7 p.m.

After being unranked in the 2009-10 preseason poll, Francis Marion has appeared in each of the 12 regular-season polls at 22nd, 18th, 17th, 17th, 15th, 18th, 17th, 17th, 15th, 15th, 19th, and now 18th.  Unbeaten Gannon University (28-0) takes over the No.1 spot in this week's poll.  Three PBC schools are in this week's poll and one is among the other schools receiving votes.

Entering Wednesday's contest, the Flagler women are 8-17 and 3-13.  FMU defeated the Saints 97-63 last month in Florence.

The Francis Marion men (18-7, 10-6) need one win to capture second-place in the East Division and secure a first-round PBC Tournament home game.  The Saints are 10-15 overall and tied for fourth in the East Division with a 5-11 mark.  FMU won the first meeting in January 83-51.

Both Patriot teams will conclude their regular-season schedule on Saturday night at Armstrong Atlantic State University.

 

 

USA TODAY ESPN DIVISION II TOP 25 COACHES' WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POLL
Week 12 Poll: February 23, 2010

Rank      Institution- First Place Votes                       Prev   Record     Points
1              Gannon University (Pa.) -25                  2              28-0       672
2              Franklin Pierce University (N.H.) -2        1              24-1       618
3              University of Indianapolis (Ind.)             4              25-2       596
4              Fort Lewis College (Colo.)                       6              26-2       554
5              Michigan Technological University          3              23-2       540
6              West Texas A&M University                   8              25-2       503
7              Arkansas Tech University                      5              23-2       491
8              Fort Valley State University (Ga.)           10            24-1       474
9              Delta State University (Miss.)                 12           21-2       462
10           Lander University (S.C.)                          7              22-2       411
11           Washburn University (Kan.)                    13           22-3       396
12           Emporia State University (Kan.)              9              22-3       367
13           University of Alaska - Anchorage             14            20-3       333
14           University of California - San Diego          11            22-3       329
15           Holy Family University (Pa.)                     T15          23-1       307
16           University of Tampa (Fla.)                        17           23-3       278
17           Seattle Pacific University (Wash.)             18           20-3       236
18           Francis Marion University (S.C.)               19           22-3       227
19           Concordia University, St. Paul (Minn.)       20           21-4       185
20           Carson-Newman College (Tenn.)               22          21-4       153
21           Western Washington University                21          20-4       122
22           Clayton State University (Ga.)                   T15        19-6       80
23           Millersville University of Pennsylvania        23          21-4       79
24           Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.)                  24          18-6       69
25           Tarleton State University (Texas)              NR          21-5       54

Others Receiving Votes: Wayne State College (Neb.) -39; Seton Hill University (Pa.) -33; California University of Pennsylvania -30; Northeastern State University (Okla.) -27; Fayetteville State University (N.C.) -22; Quincy University (Ill.) -13; Pace University (N.Y.) -11; Adams State College (Colo.) -8; Saint Augustine's College (N.C.) -7; Newberry College (S.C.) -5; Northwest Nazarene University (Idaho) -5; University of Southern Indiana -5; University of Wisconsin, Parkside -5; Bentley University (Mass.) -4; Florida Southern College -4; California State Polytechnic University, Pomona -2; Georgia College & State University -2; Barton College (N.C.) -1; Grand Canyon University (Ariz.) -1; Valdosta State University (Ga.) -1.