Box Score Due West, SC – On senior night, senior Porsha Morgan (Columbus, GA, LaGrange Academy) scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Erskine Flying Fleet (13-12, 10-7) to a 74-61 victory over the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College tonight in Conference Carolinas women’s basketball action at Belk Arena.  With the win, Erskine clinches the #3 West division seed in the upcoming conference tournament and will travel to face #2 East division Mount Olive College on Monday.

Both teams misfired offensively to start the game.  Erskine failed to score on their first six possessions; five missed shots and a turnover.  The Abbey missed on their first three possessions and turned the ball over on their next two trips down the court before scoring their first bucket of the night.

After six lead changes and two ties, Erskine’s Sha'Niqua Whitley (Columbia, SC, Spartanburg Methodist College) hit a short jumper to put the Fleet up for good at 18-16.  Erskine built their lead to as many as nine points but the Abbey cut the lead to four points at 33-29 to end the half.

After exchanging a series of baskets to open the half, Erskine used a 7-0 run to extend their lead to ten points at 46-36.  Morgan scored five of the Fleet’s seven points on a 3-point basket and two free throws.  Sophomore post player Jana Dixon (Conyers, GA, Heritage High School) scored the other basket. 

The Abbey got back within four points midway through the half following a layup by Melisa Fournes off a steal by Caitlyn Ranson. 

But Erskine used an 8-0 run on four free throws by Andrienne Bannerman (Watha, NC, Pender High School) and back-to-back baskets by Dixon to push their lead back to double-digits.  The Crusaders would trim the lead to single-digits three more times but never seriously threatened to retake the lead.  Erskine won going away 74-61.

Fellow senior Elizabeth Tatum (Glennville, GA, Pinewood Christian Academy) finished 10 points and 6 rebounds and Dixon also added 10 points with 8 rebounds.

For the Abbey, Fournes earned a “double-double” with 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.  Ranson also scored 16 points and Candace Fox and Kelsey Long both added 10 points each.

After the game, Erskine recognized both Morgan and Tatum for their outstanding careers.  With at least two games remaining, Morgan departs second on Erskine’s all-time career scoring list.  She is also second in career assists and her career scoring average of 16.9 ppg is third best all-time.  Tatum also concludes a fine career having surpassed the 1,000 point and 500 rebound milestones earlier this season.

Erskine travels to King College this Friday for their final regular season game.  A win Friday night would guarantee the Fleet a winning record on the year.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.

Box Score