COLUMBUS - No. 24-ranked Columbus State University Women's Basketball takes on Francis Marion (S.C.) on Wednesday night in Florence, S.C.
 
The Lady Cougars (2-0) tip off in the Smith University Center at 5:30 p.m. ET against the Patriots (1-1) after opening with a two-win weekend at the Jersey Mike's Regional Challenge.
 
Scouting the Patriots
 
Francis Marion went 1-1 to open the season at the Conference Carolinas/South Atlantic Conference Challenge over the weekend. The Patriots opened with a 71-69 loss to Coker (S.C.) and followed with a 78-65 win over Wingate (N.C.).
 
Through two games, FMU is led by a trio averaging 15 points per game or more. Kiana Lee leads the way averaging 16 points while Trinity Adams averages 15.5 and Kennedi Simmons averages 15.0. Lee also leads with 10 total assists. The leading rebounder is Trinity Delaney with 8.0 boards per contest.
 
Kiara Croskey will welcome the Lady Cougars as the Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week. She averaged 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.
 
A season ago, the Patriots finished with a 20-8 record and placed second in the SAC's East Division. Both Lee and Adams return as all-conference performers from the 2023-24 season. The Patriots are led by Jeri Porter who has been at the helm of the program since 2015, holding a 145-101 overall record.
 
Previewing the Lady Cougars
 
Columbus State is coming off a pair of solid wins at the Jersey Mike's Regional Challenge this weekend. The Lady Cougars took down RV Catawba (N.C.) on a 90-70 victory on Saturday and followed up with a 97-84 win over Tusculum (Tenn.) on Sunday.
 
A total of four CSU players are averaging double figures through two games with Olonna Rawls leading with 18.5 points per contest. Rawls scored 14 against Catawba, shooting 5-of-5 from the foul line with six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. She lit up the Pioneers on Sunday with 23 points, going 5-of-9 from three, snagging seven boards, dishing three assists, and capturing two steals.
 
Letiya Reeves follows with an average of 16.5 points with Bre'Lyn Snipes averaging 13.5 points and Jasmine Rai Stevens averaging 10.5 points per contest.
 
As a team, CSU has averaged 93.5 points per contest with a 16.5 scoring margin. The Lady Cougars are shooting for 39.2% from the field, 31.4% from three, and 70% from the foul line. Defensively, Columbus State has totaled 35 steals and 11 blocks, scoring an average of 37.0 points from turnovers.
 
Follow Along and Support
 
Columbus State will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday night in Florence. Live video and live stats are available to follow along.