Nov. 4, 2009

CHAPEL HILL --- The No. 5 North Carolina women's basketball team will take to the court for game action for the first time Thursday when the Tar Heels host Division II Francis Marion in an exhibition matchup at 7 p.m. at the Smith Center. The game is the first of two exhibitions for UNC, which will also host Carson-Newman on Nov. 10.

Thursday's opponent holds special significance for head coach Sylvia Hatchell. Hatchell spent 11 seasons as the head coach at Francis Marions, leading the Patriots to an overall record of 272-80 and a pair of national championships in 1982 and 1986. In 1993, Hatchell was inducted into the Francis Marion University Athletic Hall of Fame and last May she gave the school's commencement address.

The game will be the first appearance for the five-person freshman class of Krista Gross, Cierra Robertson-Warren, Waltiea Rolle, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Nyree Williams.

Entry to the game is free to all spectators and seating will be general admission.