Box Score Greenwood, S.C. – Lander University shot down the Erskine Flying Fleet 76 to 62 in non-conference women’s basketball action at Horne Arena.

The Bearcats domination of the boards and relentless defense produced 23 additional shot opportunities, 70 to 47, over the Flying Fleet.  The Bearcats won the rebounding battle 44 to 29 resulting in 24 second chance points in addition to forcing Erskine into a season-high 28 turnovers, 19 on steals.

Lander grabbed an early 8 point lead off successive turnovers by the Fleet to start the game but the Fleet bounced back with back-to-back 3-point baskets by freshman Tori Whittenberg (Mauldin, SC, Mauldin High School) and junior Rosa Powell (Lilburn, GA, Brookwood High School).

Lander stretched their lead to as many as 16 points but the Fleet made a nice run to trim the lead to 8 points at half, 38-30.  Erskine’s defense forced three consecutive turnovers and Erskine converted each time, capped off by a jump shot by Andrienne Bannerman (Watha, NC, Pender High School) off an assist by Whittenberg.

After surrendering a basket to open the second half, Erskine scored on their next four possessions to get within a point at 42-41. Bannerman scored twice and Whittenberg hit a 3-point shot during the Fleet run.

Unfortunately, the Bearcats responded with13 unanswered points and Erskine never seriously threatened after that.  Bearcats cruised to the 14 point victory.

Bannerman led the Fleet with a season-high 18 points while sophomore Tara Potter (Sherrills Ford, NC, Bandys High School)and Whittenberg contributed 13 and 11 points respectively.  Junior post player Jana Dixon (Conyers, GA, Heritage High School), who suffered a preseason injury, came off the bench to grab a team-high 8 rebounds and score 8 points in her first game of the season.

The Bearcats had four players finish in double-figures, led by Aarika Judge’s 20 points.  Precious Elkins added 16 points while Lea Sanders and Jamie Shaw had 14 and 13 points respectively.  Both Elkins and Shaw finished with a game-high 9 rebounds.
The Bearcats picked up their first win of the season at 1-3 while the Fleet remain winless at 0-7.

This concludes Erskine’s pre-Christmas portion of their schedule.  The Fleet return to action on New Year’s Eve against Southern Wesleyan University.  Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.