FMU women eager to get conference play under way

FLORENCE — Heather Macy doesn’t have to tell anyone on her Francis Marion women’s basketball team that the season that really matters begins tonight.

USC Aiken visits Smith University Center for the teams’ Peach Belt Conference Opener at 5:30 p.m.

“I think the girls understand the significance of this being a conference game and that we’re playing for a championship,” Macy said. “They know that. I don’t have to address that. We just go out with the attitude that we play our style and the results take care of themselves.”

That certainly has been the case so far.

The No. 22 Patriots, who shared and then won a PBC regular season title outright in Macy’s first two seasons, have won their five non-conference games by an average of about 45 points and they’ve done it their way: running, gunning and forcing opponents into an average of 48 turnovers a game.

USC Aiken (4-1), traditionally, presents a stiffer challenge. Macy, though, says playing Fayetteville State and St. Augustine’s — teams she thinks are two of the better CIAA programs — should have helped get the Patriots ready for tonight’s game.

“I think we’ve had some really good non-conference games,” Macy said. “We’ve played two really tough CIAA teams that will probably be NCAA teams. I think we’re prepared for Peach Belt play based on our non-conference schedule.”

The Pacers’ only loss was a 59-57 setback at 23rd-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne. Aiken is getting most of its offensive production out of the post. Sophomore 5-foot-10 forward Hannah DeGraffinreed is averaging a double-double, scoring 17.4 points and pulling down 10 rebounds per game. Senior 5-foot-11 forward Catherine Cain is averaging 10.8 points.

Junior guard Shannon Singleton-Bates, a preseason all-PBC selection, continues to pace FMU’s offensive attack, averaging 15.3 points. Senior 5-foot-10 transfer Precious Tucker has given the Patriots a big boost in scoring (14.8 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 ppg).

“Precious has given us something that we’ve been missing for the past two years,” Macy said. “She rebounds and just has a nose for the ball. And she’s a sponge in practice, learning, staying after to work on things. She pushes everybody else to get better.”

PBC OPENER
Who: USC Aiken vs. FMU
When: Today, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Smith University Center
TV: Time Warner 11
Radio: 100.1 FM (joined in progress)
Internet stream: http://www.fmupatriots.com
Admission: $5 adults, $2 students, FMU students free with university I.D.