Box Score Tigerville, S.C. – The Erskine Flying Fleet (1-1) lost to the University of North Georgia tonight 95-80 in the Conference Carolinas/Peach Belt Challenge hosted by North Greenville University.

The Flying Fleet had four players finish in double-digits, led by sophomore Raygon Hendrix's 20 points.  Senior Andrienne Bannerman (Wilmington, NC, Pender High School) led the Fleet on the boards with 8 rebounds while contributing 19 points.  Sophomore Ashley Espinosa (Reading, PA, Governor Mifflin High School) had 14 points and 4 rebounds and Kristin Giles (Union, SC, Union County High School) finished with 10 points.

The Flying Fleet closed out the opening period on a 15-5 run to take a 48 to 39 lead into the locker room at intermission.  JuniorMegan Marrah (Travelers Rest, SC, Travelers Rest High School) sparked the run, converting four consecutive free throws to give the Fleet a three point lead.  Espinosa followed up with back-to-back jumpers and Bannerman capped it off with a short runner in the paint.

While in the locker room, North Georgia found their shooting stroke and slowly whittled away at the Fleet lead.  North Georgia shot 35% in the second half compared to 26% in the first half.  North Georgia also got to the free throw line 28 times converting 26 of them in the second half while the Flying Fleet was 8 of 13 in the closing period.

North Georgia took the lead midway through the second period on two free throws by Stephanie Huffman.  The Fleet stayed within striking distance but were eventually forced to foul. North Georgia converted 8 consecutive free throws to lengthen their lead to double-digits.

Erskine will play their first conference game this Wednesday against in-state conference foe Limestone College at home.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.