Categories: College University Athletics

Francis Marion University Basketball Stars Shine

Players from Francis Marion University showcase their skills on the basketball court.

News Summary

Francis Marion University celebrates stellar performances on the basketball courts as freshman Alex Atkinson leads the men’s team to key victories and earns dual Player of the Week honors. Meanwhile, the women’s team also enjoys success with players Trinity Adams and Danielle Jackson receiving accolades. Both teams are poised for strong seasons as they continue to demonstrate skill and teamwork, with the men’s team standing at 6-10 overall and the women’s team thriving at 12-3. Additionally, the softball team ranks 14th in the preseason poll as they prepare for their upcoming season.

Francis Marion University Shines as Atkinson Steals the Spotlight

The basketball courts of Francis Marion University in Florence are buzzing with excitement as Alex Atkinson has taken the league by storm. This remarkable freshman forward not only helped his team to two critical victories but also snagged both the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors in Conference Carolinas for the week of January 13-19. Talk about making an impact!

A Star on the Rise

Atkinson, who stands tall at 6-7 and hails from Lower Richland, is showcasing his incredible skills week after week. In the two games during the honored week, he averaged an impressive 21.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocked shots. His shooting was off the charts, flaunting an impressive 84.2% by sinking 16 out of 19 shots—an achievement that left fans on the edge of their seats.

But that’s not all! Atkinson was a force at the free-throw line as well, going 9” of 10, paired with two assists and two steals. In his standout performance against the University of Mount Olive, Atkinson set his career-high with 28 points (and an unbelievable 10 of 11 shooting) while also grabbing 15 rebounds and swatting away six shots. His contributions continued in another match against Erskine College, where he scored a solid 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Season Stats that Speak Volumes

As the season unfolds, Atkinson continues to impress with an average of 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. His defensive prowess has made him a standout player, leading the conference with 27 blocked shots and boasting an average of 1.6 blocks per game. On top of that, he’s ranked second in the league for field goal accuracy at an exceptional 56.7%.

Women’s Basketball Climbing High

The accolades don’t stop with Atkinson. The women’s basketball team at Francis Marion is also basking in the spotlight, with Trinity Adams and Danielle Jackson earning the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors respectively. Adams has been nothing short of outstanding, boasting an average of 21.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks in her two games. She shot 45.2% from the field and was perfect from the foul line!

Her stellar contributions included 21 points and six rebounds against Mount Olive and an eye-popping 22 points along with a career-high 16 rebounds and eight assists in the contest against Erskine. Meanwhile, Jackson offered solid defense, averaging 9.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks. She tied her personal best of 13 points and reeled in 15 rebounds in the game against Mount Olive.

Team Progress and Future Aspirations

With Atkinson’s heroics and the women’s team grinding through their matches, the Francis Marion men’s basketball team now stands at 6-10 overall and 4-4 in the conference after their win against Erskine. The women’s team is flourishing as well, improving to 12-3 overall and boasting an impressive 7-1 in conference play following their recent victory.

Softball Team Aiming for Glory

As if all of this wasn’t exciting enough, the Francis Marion softball team is gearing up for the upcoming season, ranked 14th in the NFCA/Gorout NCAA Division II preseason Top 25 poll. Having finished last season with a record-setting 47-13, they are looking forward to kicking off their 2025 season on February 1 with a doubleheader against Coker University.

In short, Francis Marion University is buzzing with talent and determination across all teams. With bright young stars like Atkinson and unstoppable forces like Adams and Jackson leading the charge, the future looks incredibly promising!