FLORENCE — The Francis Marion men’s basketball team is on the road at USC Aiken today for the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.
Six weeks ago, though, it didn’t look like the Patriots would have to leave home for the opening round.
Back then, everything was clicking. With two wins over ranked teams, FMU held a firm grip on second place in the PBC’s East Division. Then the bottom fell out.
Beginning with three straight losses to Georgia College & State, UNC Pembroke and Armstrong Atlantic State, the Patriots dropped six of their last eight regular-season games, costing them a No. 2 seed in the tournament.
The most heartbreaking of those losses came Saturday when Keron McKenzie’s 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left doomed FMU in a 78-76 loss that dropped the Patriots to a No. 3 seed and put AASU in the tournament.
Instead of hosting a first-round game at Smith University Center, the Patriots (18-9 overall, 10-8 in conference) must face a hot USC Aiken squad on the road.
The Pacers closed out the regular season by winning seven of 11 contests since Jan. 20 and claiming the No. 2 seed in the East Division.
“I know the Peach Belt publicized that that shot changed everything, but regardless of that shot, Flagler had already lost, so Armstrong Atlantic was in anyway,” Patriots coach Gary Edwards said. “The only thing that changed was where we ended up.”
Nevertheless, the Patriots are thankful to still have a chance for the conference title.
“We’re happy and excited about being one of the eight teams still playing,” Edwards said. “There are five teams whose seasons are over.
“Right now, it’s 0-0. They don’t give you any extra points for playing in the tournament. You have to survive and advance. It doesn’t have to be pretty, and that’s the mindset you have to have.”
Former Crestwood star Byron Faison and Casey McMasters lead USC Aiken (16-10, 11-7) in scoring with 12.8 and 10 points per game, respectively. Mark Brown is scoring 9.7 points, and Seth Leonard pulls down a team-leading 6.6 rebounds to go with 9.6 points.
FMU has had good fortune against the Pacers this season, sweeping the regular-season series. As the old adage goes, however, it’s hard to beat the same team thrice in one season.
“The regular season really doesn’t mean anything now. It’s a one-game playoff,” Edwards said. “Both teams will use their experience in this game.
“We just wanna go out there, play as hard as we can, and survive this.”
Junior Simel Boyd leads the Patriots in scoring and rebounding with 12.1 points and 6.6 boards per game. Kaylan Anderson averages 10.8 points, and Kendrick Robinson scores 9.4 points.
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