Gaffney, SC – #6 seed Erskine created early March madness excitement in their upset bid of #3 seed Limestone College in the first round of the Conference Carolinas Postseason Tournament at the Timkin Center tonight. Erskine lost 77-75 in overtime to Limestone.
Erskine built a five point lead at 11-6 in the first five minutes of the game, led by two 3-point baskets by senior Jean Marie Harris (Lancaster, SC, Indian Land High School). The Saints countered with 13-0 run with Maria Young scoring 8 points and Kaileigh West adding 5 points to take a 19-11 lead midway through the half. Junior Elizabeth Tatum (Glennville, GA, Pinewood Christian Academy) started a 12-0 Erskine run by scoring three consecutive times to give the lead back to Erskine with four minutes remaining in the opening half. After swapping baskets, Limestone got to within one point by halftime at 28-27.
Erskine clung to a slight lead through the opening minutes of the second half, never leading by more than five points. With 13:05 remaining, Young made a layup to give Limestone their first lead of the second half at 39-38. Over the next five minutes, Limestone gradually stretched their lead to seven points at 52-45. Erskine rallied over the next two minutes of play, going on a 10-2 run to take a one point lead at 55-54 with 5:49 left. Senior Neci Allen (North Augusta, SC, North Augusta High School) scored five of the Fleet’s ten points on a 3-point basket and two free throws. The last five minutes of play saw three ties and three lead changes as both teams battled down to the wire. Limestone’s Stephanie Hayes hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 65-65 with 41 seconds remaining. Erskine worked the clock down to 19 seconds but could not convert. Both teams turned the ball over in the last 15 seconds and Neci Allen blocked Maria Young’s desperation attempt to win it in regulation for Limestone.
The lead exchanged hands three times in the opening minutes of overtime. With 2:09 left, Porsha Morgan (Columbus, GA, LaGrange Academy) drove the lane to tie the game at 71-71. Maria Young staked the Saints to a two point lead on two free throws and Kaileigh West hit the backend of two free throws to push the lead to three points at 74-71 with a 1:29 to go. After trading baskets, Porsha Morgan got to the basket drawing the Fleet to within one point at 76-75. With only 19 seconds remaining, Erskine had to foul, putting Limestone’s Kaileigh West back on the line. West hit one of two free throws to give Limestone a 77-75 lead. Morgan took the inbounds pass and raced down the court, letting go a jumper with 3 seconds remaining. The ball hit the back of the rim and fell to the floor ending Erskine’s upset bid.
Elizabeth Tatum led the Fleet with 22 points and Porsha Morgan had 20 points. Senior Neci Allen finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman Jana Dixon (Conyers, GA, Heritage High School)had a game-high 14 rebounds along with 5 points.
Limestone was led by Maria Young’s game-high 30 points. Kaileigh West scored 23 points and Stephanie Hayes added 14 points. Tia Williams had a team-high 11 rebounds for the Saints.
Erskine ends their season at 13-14 overall and 11-9 in conference. Limestone (19-8, 14-6) advances to the semi-final round to face #2 seed Mt. Olive College, who defeated #7 seed Belmont-Abbey 66-44.
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