WINTER PARK, FL – Coker College couldn’t overcome a slow start against Francis Marion in a 59-41 loss Thursday night in the consolation game of the Winter Park Rotary Tangerine Tournament. With the loss the Cobras drop to 2-6 on the season and the Patriots improve to 5-4. Coker fell behind 14-2 following a three-pointer by Andrew Snipe at the 13:45 mark. The Cobras had trouble getting the lid off the basket early on and were helpless as the Patriots jumped out to their big lead. FMU pushed the advantage to 25-7 five minutes later, the largest margin of the half, and led 33-20 at the break. It was more of the same early in the second period as Francis Marion scored the first seven points for a 40-20 advantage. Coker never warmed up from the field and as a result the Patriots led by 16 or more the rest of the way. The Cobras struggled inside against the taller Patriots and lost the rebounding battle 54-25. Both teams shot under 35 percent in the contest but FMU took control of the game by grabbing 22 offensive rebounds, compared to only five by CC. Senior Michael Pierce scored 15 points to lead Coker and classmate Jay Farrow contributed eight points, eight rebounds and three assists. Louis McCullough led the Patriots with 17 points and Snipe had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Raymond Dorsey tallied 13 points and Michael Jenkins dished out eight assists against only two turnovers. Coker will next play on Thursday, January 6, at Limestone. The conference match-up will tip at 7:30 PM.