Due West, SC – In a close game, the Erskine Flying Fleet came up on the short end losing to the East Division-leading Royals of Queens University 65 to 61 in Conference Carolinas men’s basketball action at Belk Arena.  With the loss, the Fleet fall to 6-15 overall and 2-8 in conference while Queens University improves to 14-6 overall and 9-1 in conference.

Erskine kept the game close through the early portion of the game trailing by no more than four points.  Leading by two, Queens’ Daniel Bailey ignited a 5-0 run with a dunk off a feed from Brandon Nichols.  Sean Eads added a jumper and Antonio Stabler hit one of two free throws to give the Royals their first significant lead of the game at 17-10.  Erskine crept back to within a point at 19-18 on a short jumper by Casey Sorrell (Walton, KY, Simon Kenton High School) in the paint with 7:11 remaining in the opening period.  Unfortunately Erskine committed three consecutive turnovers and Queens capitalized with David Creek hitting back-to-back 3-point shots and Eads also nailing a 3-point shot along with two free throws to take their largest lead of the half at 34-23.  Erskine’s DeShaun Hall (Inman, SC, Landrum High School) made the final two baskets of the half, a 3-pointer and layup, to trim the Royal lead to six points at 34-28.

In the first five minutes of the second half, the Fleet grinded their way back to tie the game at 38-38.  Mike Gabbard (Erlanger, KY, Boone County High School) hit a nice driving layup and Casey Sorrell made one of two free throws to tie the game.

At that point, Queens responded by scoring nine unanswered points that proved to be the deciding point of the game.  Nate Blackburn capped the run with a 3-point bomb forcing Erskine Head Coach Mark Peeler to call time out.  Queens maintained a 6 to 9 point lead until late in the game when Erskine managed twice to get within four points but could not get a key basket or defensive stop.   Queens escaped Belk Arena with a 65-61 win.

Erskine got 13 points from both Corey Sorrell (Walton, KY, Holy Cross High School) and Mike Gabbard while Bailey led Queens with a game-high 14 points and 10 rebounds for a famed “double-double.”  Eads and Stabler added 13 and 12 points respectively.

Erskine plays at North Greenville University on Monday at 7:30 p.m. then returns home for their next two games.  The Bobcats of Lees-McRae College visit Belk Arena on Wednesday with tip-off set at 7:30 p.m. and the Falcons of Pfeiffer University come to town on Saturday.  Game time is again at 7:30 p.m.

Box Score