GREENWOOD – The No. 4-ranked and second-seeded Lander men's tennis team (18-2, 8-1 PBC) begins its quest for the Peach Belt Conference tournament championship on Friday afternoon, as the Bearcats face in-state rival and seventh-seeded Francis Marion (7-10, 3-6) in the quarterfinals of the PBC tournament at 1:00 p.m., at the Dr. Eddie Floyd/Florence Tennis Center. 

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STORYLINES

• Lander is participating in its 27th Peach Belt Conference tournament. The Bearcats have never missed the PBC tournament, owning a 26-17 all-time record since the tournament went to a head-to-head format in 2000. Lander is searching for its 12th tournament championship in program history (11 consecutive titles from 1992-2002). 

• The Bearcat have recorded 15 or more wins for the ninth consecutive season and the 12th time in the past 13 years. 

• Lander is meeting Francis Marion in the PBC tournament for the fifth time. The Bearcats hold a 4-0 lead over the Patriots in PBC tournament play. The two last met in the tournament in 2014, when Lander topped Francis Marion, 5-1, in the quarterfinals. 

• The Bearcats have been ranked in the top-10 of every Oracle/ITA Division II Men's National Team Ranking this season.

• Lander has won at least 18 matches in a season for the fourth consecutive year, it's longest such streak since 1997-2000. 

• The Bearcats are 30-8 in their last 38 meetings against Peach Belt Conference opponents. 

• Lander defeated Francis Marion 7-2 on March 2 in Florence.