Wilson, NC- After an incredible post-season run, the No.7 Flying Fleet were finally grounded by No.1 Barton College Saturday evening 65-52.  Erskine won three of their last four regular season games, sending them into the conference tournament with great momentum.  The Fleet knocked off No.10 Saint Andrews, No.2 Mount Olive, and No.3 Belmont Abbey in order to reach the final against Barton.  After Saturday’s loss, the Fleet finish their season at 12-19 overall and 10-14 in conference play.

After seeing what the Fleet had done to previous opponents, Barton made sure to take command early as they opened the game with a 14-0 run and led 29-16 at the break.  Following halftime, Barton went on an 8-2 run to open up their largest lead of the game (37-18). 

After Barton’s early run Erskine was able to hold their own as they tied the Bulldogs’ second half scoring effort as each team recorded 36 second half points.  But this was not enough to overcome the first half deficit. 

Barton out-rebounded the Fleet 40-30 and out-scored them from the charity striped 11-5.  Neither team shot particularly well during the championship game.  Erskine hit 43% from the field, 17% from three-point land, and 31% from the free-throw line while Barton hit 44% of their field goal attempts, 23% from behind the arc, but a solid 73% from the free-throw line.

Erskine’s Brandon Wright led all scorers with 16 points while Dejan Nedelkovaski hit for 12 of his own.

Barton had four players reach double figures.  LJ Dunn and Bobby Buffaloe each recorded 15 while Greg Mammel and Errol Frailis hit for 12 and 10 respectively.  Dunn also recorded 12 rebounds for the only double-double of the evening.

Following Saturday’s game, Conference Carolinas announced the All-Tournament team to which Brandon Wright and Marko Latinovic were named for their excellent post-season performances.

As the Conference Carolinas champion, Barton College now advances to the NCAA II Regional tournament which begins on March 14.  

STATS