Box Score Due West, SC – The Erskine Flying Fleet (0-3, 0-1) opened Conference Carolinas play with a 69-63 loss at the hands of the Limestone College Saints (1-2, 1-0) tonight at Belk Arena.
 
Limestone sprinted out to an early 11 to 2 behind back to back three point baskets by Cole Walter and Justin Crowder.
 
Towards the end of the first half Erskine began to heat up a little from beyond the arc. The Fleet knotted the game at 30 with just five minutes remaining, but would trail 37-32 at halftime.
 
The second half was a continuation of the first half. Both teams played solid defense and did not give the other team easy looks. When asked about the offensive struggles for the Fleet, freshman Arvel Atwater, Jr. (Capitol Heights, MD, Suitland High School) responded, "They knew who our shooters were and they played good deny defense."
 
Even with the back and forth game, the Fleet found themselves down four with 1:00 remaining. A defensive rebound by Limestone and two free throws stretched the lead to six.  The Fleet were able to muster up a few more desperation attempts but none found the bottom of the net.
 
"We just need to shore up a few things on defense and continue to work on our offensive play and I think we will be fine," commented Atwater.
 
Sophomore Maurice Daniels, Jr. (Spartanburg, SC, Dorman High School) led the Fleet with 14 points while freshman Ray Lock (Aiken, SC, Oak Hill Academy) had 11 points.
 
Limestone had four players finish in double-digits, led by Shaq Dance's 15 points.  Assad Woods posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Fleet return to action on the road against Southern Wesleyan University next Tuesday. Game time is set for 7:30.