Due West, SC- The Lady Fleet of Erskine College were defeated Saturday evening by top-ranked Barton College 87-79.  With the loss, Erskine falls to 7-11 overall and 6-8 in conference play.  The Lady Bulldogs of Barton, currently ranked #1 in Conference Carolinas, improve to 14-5 overall and 13-1.

The Fleet’s underdog status was unapparent Saturday evening as they held their ground against Barton during the first half. Each team traded basket for basket for the majority of the period.  Late in the first half, the Fleet put together an 8-0 run to go up 39-31.  The Bulldogs responded with a run of their own, and the teams went into the break tied at 44.

Erskine went ice cold during the second half of play, allowing Barton to pull away.  Within four minutes, Barton had completed a 10-3 run and led 54-47.  The Fleet continued to struggle from the field, only hitting 28% including 2/11 from three-point land during the second half.  This poor shooting allowed the Bulldogs to stretch their lead to 14 (72-58) with 7:26 left to play.

The Fleet were determined not to go down without a fight.  Over the next three minutes of play, Erskine scored 11 unanswered points to come to within 3 (72-69).  But Barton would slow the pace and force Erskine to foul to stop the clock.  The Bulldogs capitalized from the free-throw line and walked away with the 87-79 victory.

Erskine point guard Porsha Morgan kept the Fleet in Saturday’s game with her 22 points off 9/20 from the field and 6/6 from the charity stripe.  Audrey Timmerman also contributed 12 points of her own, and Taylar Stewart had a big game of 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Barton’s Esty Flores led the Bulldogs to victory with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Janetta Robinson hit for 19 on the night while Jamila Johnson was good for 12 points and 5 assists.

The Lady Fleet will take to the court again Monday evening at home as they look to knock off #5 Belmont Abbey.  Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 PM.