WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsFMU uses constructive first-half effort to down Builders 82-65

FMU uses constructive first-half effort to down Builders 82-65

From Francis Marion University

FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University played a nearly flawless first-half and then cruised to an 82-65 non-conference win over The Apprentice School, Saturday night (Dec. 5) in the men's college basketball action.

Francis Marion (8-1) avenged its only loss of the season, a 72-67 overtime loss to the Builders in Newport News, Va., on Nov. 24.  Francis Marion will now break for exams and the Christmas holidays.  FMU returns to action on Jan. 2 when the Patriots host local Peach Belt Conference rival UNC Pembroke in a 3:30 p.m. tip-off.  The Apprentice School (4-3) plays at St. Andrews Presbyterian College on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Junior 6-4 forward Simel Boyd led FMU with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while senior swingman Kaylan Anderson scored 17 points, 15 of which came in the opening 20 minutes.  Reserve center David Turner added 14 points, while starting center Andrew Smith tallied 12 points (on 6-of-7 shooting all in the first half) and seven rebounds.

Freshman 6-3 guard Chris Hearn came off The Apprentice School bench and scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds.  Isaih Harrison recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman Tevin Andrews chipped in 14 points.

The Patriots scored the game's opening 10 points and held The Apprentice School scoreless for the first 5:28 of the contest as the Builders missed their first 10 field goal attempts.

The FMU margin grew to 30-5 following a fast-break layup by Bryant Julious with 7:35 left before halftime.  The Builders misfired on 21 of their first 23 shots from the floor.  Francis Marion held a 46-18 halftime lead as the Patriots shot 47.6 percent over the opening 20 minutes and committed only five turnovers.

Two free throws by senior guard Herman Mains gave Francis Marion a 63-30 advantage with 13:30 remaining.  Fifteen consecutive points by the Builders trimmed the margin to 18 points (63-45) after a three-point play by Hearn with 10:16 left.

Francis Marion responded with a 13-6 spurt to open a 25-point lead and seal the victory.

Francis Marion had assists on 27 of 32 baskets and outpointed the Builders 48-32 in points-in-the-paint.

"I am very pleased with our effort during this first semester of the season," said FMU head coach Gary Edwards.  "I am excited at the strides we have made just since our first game.  We will now focus our main attention on the classroom and exams.  We then return to the court after Christmas and will prepare for the meat of our schedule – the Peach Belt Conference slate."