Francis Marion spoils opener

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 18, 2007 2:22 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Relentless defensive pressure which caused turnovers from frustration and lack of team chemistry haunted the Mount Olive College women's basketball team Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans endured scoring droughts in each half and dropped their season opener, 78-63, against Francis Marion (S.C.) University at Kornegay Arena. Mount Olive lost a home opener for the first time since 2003 and entertains in-state opponent Pfeiffer University on Tuesday.

Division I transfer Lakeisha Monroe pumped in 18 points in her Trojan debut. Junior forward Helen Moore added 13 and senior point guard Keona Corley, bothered by a knee injury, chipped in 11.

Monroe admirably handled the ball against the Patriots' fullcourt defense, but missed having Corley in the backcourt with her. The Trojans wasted considerable time on the 30-second clock, which left little margin for error once they settled into a halfcourt offense.

Mount Olive, on numerous possessions, started its offense inside 12 seconds on the shot clock. Corley's absence and lack of production from the frontcourt of Sierra Medeiros (three points) and Alisa Jones (two points) raised the concerns of eighth-year Trojans head coach Wendy Lee.

"I was very disappointed with our inside play," said Lee. "That's usually our strength. We've been able to observe in practice that our inside game is very deficient right now with our centers being injured and inconsistent.

"We're struggling to get chemistry and get consistency in our lineup. Hopefully that come with the more you play."

Mount Olive missed eight of its first 10 shots from the floor and fell behind 14-4 less than nine minutes into the game. The Trojans climbed within eight twice on scores from Medeiros and Jones. However, both players fell victim to foul trouble and finished scoreless in the second half.

Corley entered the game with 6:48 left in the opening half and provided a much-needed boost. The Trojans pulled within 29-25, but the Patriots closed out the half with a 5-0 run.

The second half was a repeat of the first 20 minutes.

Mount Olive managed just three field goals during an eight-minute stretch as Francis Marion extended its advantage to 56-32. The Patriots drained three 3-pointers and converted seven free throws to grab their biggest lead of the game.

"Our fullcourt pressure, I think it takes a toll on teams because it's just relentless for 40 minutes," said first-year FMU coach Heather Macy. "But when we got up 24, we loosened up a little bit and allowed it to be a game.

"We've got a young team, five new starters, and we're learning how to win ... how to finish off games."

Freshman Brittany Miller converted a four-point play as Mount Olive closed the gap to 71-59 with less than three minutes left in regulation. The Patriots pushed the lead back to 16 points and were never threatened again.

FRANCIS MARION (1-0)

Rita Grayson 1 0 0-0 2, Ebony Allen 7 0 3-3 17, Jennifer Dyer 1 0 0-3 2, Kevina Ransom 6 1 2-3 15, Evelyn Ruff 1 0 0-1 2, Yasmean Dixon 6 0 5-6 17, Brittany Young 3 2 6-10 18, Shaquana Morgan 0 0 2-4 2, Creshenda Singletary 0 0 1-2 1, YaRiah Bell 1 0 0-0 2, Shannon Singleton-Bates 0 0 0-0 0, Renee Guilliams 0 0 0-0 0. TOTALS -- 25 3 19-32 78.

MOUNT OLIVE (0-1)

Helen Moore 6 0 1-4 13, Sierra Medeiros 1 0 1-6 3, Tomeka Prichard 2 0 0-1 4, Brittney Robich 0 0 0-0 0, Lakeisha Monroe 7 1 1-2 18, Brittany Miller 3 1 1-1 8, Keona Corley 5 0 1-2 11, Shequanta McGee 1 0 2-3 4, Keshaun Mozee 0 0 0-0 0, Alisa Jones 1 0 0-0 2. TOTALS -- 25 2 7-19 63.

Halftime -- FMU 34-25. 3-point goals -- FMU 3-7, MOC 2-9. Rebounds -- FMU 41 (Bell 5), MOC 35 (Medeiros 8). Assists -- FMU 16 (Ransom 6), MOC 21 (Moore, Monroe, Corley 5). Turnovers -- FMU 31, MOC 35. Blocked shots -- FMU 3, MOC 6 (Prichard 3). Steals -- FMU 20 (Ransom 8), MOC 12 (Moore, Prichard, Corley 3). Technical foul -- Dixon. A -- 205.