Harrogate, TN – Erskine almost pulled a stunning upset on the opening night of the 2011-2012 season with a 66-71 loss in overtime to #5 Lincoln Memorial University in the South Atlantic-Conference Carolinas Challenge at Tex Turner Arena.

In the first half, the teams traded the lead six times along with two ties with LMU holding a slim four point 27-23 lead at the half.

Erskine kept the game close throughout the second half.  With 28 seconds remaining, senior Filip Pejovic (Prijepolje, Serbia, Prijepoljska Gimnazija) hit a jumper to tie the game at 64-64.  LMU’s Desmond Johnson had a shot with five seconds left in regulation but it fell short and the game went into overtime.

In the bonus period, LMU outscored the Fleet 7-2 to win the game 71-66.

Junior Corey Sorrell (Walton, KY, Northern Kentucky University) made an impressive debut in his first game for the Flying Fleet by scoring 21 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.  Fellow newcomer Mike Gabbard (Erlanger, KY, Western Kentucky University) added 15 points.

The Railsplitters were led by Cam Carden’s 15 points while teammate Dustin Craig scored 11 points and pulled down 8 rebounds.

Erskine plays Carson-Newman at 4:00 p.m. today.  Carson-Newman lost to King College 79-75 in the other game of the SAC/CC Challenge.