NEWPORT NEWS, VA. - Simel Boyd scored 24 points to lead five in double figures for Francis Marion University, who shot a blistering 62.5% from the field in the second half to defeat The Apprentice School 103-63 on Saturday.

FMU (6-0), who entered the game receiving votes in the latest NCAA Division II Coaches Poll, trailed once in the first half as an Eric Joe layup put the Builders up 9-8 at the 16:41 mark.  The lead for the Patriots grew to six points on two occasions over the next several minutes before a Joe jumper brought the Builders even at 25-all with 7:33 left.  Francis Marion closed the half on a 20-5 run to take a 45-30 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the visiting Patriots came out smoking hot opening the half on a 15-4 run over the first 4:26 to take a 60-34 lead on a Kevin Clark layup with 15:34 remaining.  From there the lead was never less than 24 points.

Joe was the leading scorer for Apprentice School with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Jason Arrington had 17 points and Ruffin added 10 points and eight assists.  After Boyd's 24 for Francis Marion, Kevin Clark added 23 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Monday's originally scheduled game at home against Virginia Wesleyan College will now be played at Virginia Wesleyan at 8 pm.

FRANCIS MARION 103, APPRENTICE SCHOOL 63

FRANCIS MARION (6-0)

Boyd, Simel 10-17 4-4 24; Clark, Kevin 9-14 4-6 23; Wallen, Anthony 5-11 0-0 14; Jones, Stanley 6-9 1-2 13; French, Matt 5-8 1-2 11; Jones, Crayton 3-5 2-2 8; Smith, Sam 2-5 0-1 4; Robinson, Kendrick 0-2 2-2 2; Sinkler, Mark 1-2 0-0 2; Power, Houston 1-1 0-0 2; Austin, Harry 0-2 0-0 0; Bjornsson, Brynjar 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 42-77 14-19 103.

APPRENTICE SCHOOL (6-3)

Eric Joe 9-14 1-4 19; Jason Arrington 6-17 5-6 17; Eric Ruffin 3-13 2-2 10; Fred Spratley 3-6 1-2 8; Stanford Johnson 2-6 2-2 6; Trevor Jones 0-1 3-4 3; Joseph Lyons 0-1 0-0 0; Thomas Scott 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 23-60 14-20 63.

Halftime -- FMU 45-30.  3-point goals--Francis Marion 5-19 (Wallen, Anthony 4-9; Clark, Kevin 1-1; French, Matt 0-1; Jones, Crayton 0-1; Smith, Sam 0-1; Robinson, Kendrick 0-1; Sinkler, Mark 0-1; Austin, Harry 0-1; Bjornsson, Brynjar 0-1; Jones, Stanley 0-1; Boyd, Simel 0-1), Apprentice School 3-14 (Eric Ruffin 2-4; Fred Spratley 1-1; Trevor Jones 0-1; Thomas Scott 0-2; Jason Arrington 0-5; Eric Joe 0-1). Fouled out--Francis Marion-None, Apprentice School-Stanford Johnson. Rebounds--Francis Marion 52 (Clark, Kevin 12), Apprentice School 27 (Eric Joe 8). Assists--Francis Marion 34 (Robinson, Kendrick 7; Jones, Crayton 7), Apprentice School 15 (Eric Ruffin 8). Total fouls--Francis Marion 23, Apprentice School 16. Technical fouls--Francis Marion-None, Apprentice School-None.