Tigerville, SC – Erskine used a balanced attack to defeat Southern Wesleyan University 77-72 tonight in non-conference women’s basketball action at Hayes Gymnasium on the campus of North Greenville University.

Erskine had four players score in double-digits, led by senior Porsha Morgan’s 18 points.  Sophomore Lindsey Weidenaar (Evans, GA, Lakeside High School) added 13 points while sophomore Jana Dixon (Conyers, GA, Heritage High School)and freshman Andrienne Bannerman (Watha, NC, Pender High School) controlled the paint with both earning “double-doubles” on the night.  Dixon had 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds and Bannerman had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Janaye Gillard led SWU with a game-high 28 points while Brianna Beauford and Shadrice Erby both contributed 11 points each.  Ashley Cooper grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds for the Warriors.

Erskine held the lead the entire first half and led by as many as 13 points before taking a 39-33 lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the second half, the Warriors slowly whittled away at the Fleet lead until Erby hit a 3-point shot to give the Warriors their first lead at 53-51 with 11:53 left to play.  After two made free throws by Erskine’s Porsha Morgan (Columbus, GA, LaGrange Academy) to tie the game, Gillard led SWU on a 9-0 run, scoring seven of the team's nine points.  Erskine retook the lead with 4:10 remaining on a jumper by Weidenaar.  SWU closed to within one point with 2:10 to play but Erskine’s Sha'Niqua Whitley (Columbia, SC, Spartanburg Methodist College) made three of four free throws in the final ten seconds to secure the 77-72 Fleet victory.

With the win, Erskine evens their record at 1-1 on the season and SWU falls back to 3-3.

It is the first career coaching victory for Erskine Head Coach Russ Gregg.

Erskine will play Emmanuel College tomorrow night at Hayes Gymnasium.  Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.

Box Score