Tigerville, SC – Erskine freshman Troy Griffith (Augusta, GA, Evans High School) scored a career-high 22 points but the Fleet lost on the road to the Crusaders of North Greenville University 73-58 at Hayes Gymnasium in non-conference men’s basketball action.  Erskine drops to 2-12 on the year while North Greenville climbs to 11-6.

Erskine made their first three shots from long range, two by freshman DeShaun Hall (Inman, SC, Landrum High School), the other by Griffith, to give the Fleet a 12-2 lead in the game’s first three minutes of play.  The Crusaders countered with a 16-2 run led by Zach Shields’ two 3-point baskets and two steals.  Griffith got the Fleet back to within two on a pull-up jumper but the Crusaders picked up the defensive pressure forcing three consecutive turnovers contributing to a 16-0 run.  Erskine scored the last two baskets of the half to trim the lead to twelve at half at 38-26.

Griffith opened the second half with a 3-point basket to cut the Crusader lead to single-digits but that was as close as the Fleet would come.  North Greenville University pushed their lead to as many as 19 points before winning the game 73-58.

North Greenville forced 20 Fleet turnovers resulting in 24 points. 

Erskine won the rebounding battle 40-29, led by sophomore Chris Gore’s game-high 8 rebounds.  Freshman Brandon Bjerre (Columbia, MD, Hammond High School) grabbed 7 rebounds as well.

The Crusaders had three players reach double-digits in scoring.  Jamaal Pryor led the way with 15 points and Luke Lattimer added 10 points.  Jimmy Ellis came off the bench to score 12 points on 4-8 from 3-point range for the Crusaders.

The Fleet host Brevard College on Monday.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Box Score