Box Score Hartsville, S.C. – The Erskine Men's Basketball Team opened their season with a 80 to 74 loss to the Newberry Red Wolves this afternoon in the Sodexo SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge hosted at Coker College.

Trailing by twelve points at halftime, Erskine opened the second half with 10-0 run.  Sophomore Brandon Wilkerson (Summerville, SC, Summerville High School) capitalized on two Newberry turnovers with back-to-back layups followed by two steals by sophomore Maurice Daniels, Jr. (Spartanburg, SC, Dorman High School) that the Fleet converted for easy baskets.

The Fleet stayed within single-digits and, with two minutes remaining, were within a basket at 76-73 after a 3-point bucket from Arvel Atwater, Jr. (Capitol Heights, MD, Suitland High School).  Atwater was perfect from behind the arc, going 4 for 4 to finish with 12 points.

Newberry held off Erskine to win the game 80 to 74.

Erskine freshman Ray Lock (Aiken, SC, Oak Hill Academy) began his collegiate career tallying a team-high 21 points along with 6 rebounds.  Daniels scored a career-high 17 points with 5 steals.

Newberry's Mitch Riggs came off the bench to score a game-high 22 points.  Four other Newberry players scored 10 points each.

Erskine plays their second game of the challenge tomorrow night against host Coker College at 9:30 p.m.