Box Score Mount Olive, N.C. – Erskine's Adison Lawrence (Greer, SC, Eastside High School) had a career night scoring 12 points and grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds in a 70 to 66 loss to the University of Mount Olive Trojans this afternoon in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action at the Kornegay Arena.

Trailing by six early in the second half, Erskine responded with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 38 to 38.  Following a free throw by teammateRoderick Perkins (Smyrna, GA, Campbell High School), Lawrence stole the ball for a dunk and Perkins followed with a driving layup in the lane to even the score.

The Trojans outscored the Fleet 15 to 4 over the next six minutes of play for their largest lead of the game at 11 points.

Erskine gave themselves a chance to win the game in the final minute.  Following a 3-point basket by senior Jake Haslam (Lithia, FL, Tampa Preparatory School), fellow senior Mike Gabbard (Erlanger, KY, Boone County High School) converted one of two free throws to trim the lead to 66 to 64 with 33 seconds remaining.

Forced to foul, Mount Olive made four of six free throws to hold off the Fleet rally.  Freshman Maurice Daniels, Jr. (Spartanburg, SC, Dorman High School) made a layup to get the Fleet within three points but UMO's Josh Hicks hit one of two free throws to ice the game with just a couple of seconds left.  Erskine's desperation heave was well wide of the mark.

Lawrence's 12 points are a season-high while his 11 rebounds are the most in his career.  Perkins and Gabbard earned team-high honors with 17 points each while Haslam contributed 11 points.

The Trojans had nine players score led by Dontrelle Brite's 19 points.  Teammate Dominique Reed added 18 points along with a team-high 9 rebounds.

With the loss Erskine now trails both Limestone and Mount Olive by two games in the conference standings for 4^th place and the right to host in the first round of the tournament.

Erskine has an opportunity to draw within a game this Wednesday when the Saints of Limestone College visit Belk Arena.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.