Box Score Due West, S.C. – It only took three overtime periods but the Erskine Flying Fleet finally prevailed over the visiting Bobcats of Lees-McRae College 76 to 74 this afternoon in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action at Belk Arena.

With the game tied, senior point guard Mike Gabbard (Erlanger, KY, Boone County High School) saved the Fleet from a potential fourth overtime, hitting a short runner in the lane as time expired to win the game 76 to 74.

Erskine survived their worst shooting performance over the season to start the game.  At halftime, the Fleet had only scored 15 points due to a 4 for 25 shooting performance.  Thankfully, Erskine's defensive limited LMC to only 28 points and trailed by just thirteen points at intermission.  Erskine had five blocked shots in the period, three by sophomore Roderick Perkins (Smyrna, GA, Campbell High School) and two by senior Chris Gore (Myrtle Beach, SC, Myrtle Beach High School).

In the second half, freshman Aaron Brown (Mt. Pleasant, SC, Wando High School) came off the bench to provide an offensive spark to the Flying Fleet.  Trailing by twelve, Brown ignited a 10-0 run, scoring 8 of his 10 points on the day, on two 3-point baskets and two free throws in a two minute span that got the Fleet within two points at 34 to 32. 

After Erskine took their first lead of the game on back-to-back 3-point baskets by Gabbard, LMC's Darius Smith hit a short floater in the lane with 24 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

The three overtime periods were tightly contested as neither team had more than a three point lead.  At the end of the first overtime, LMC's Smith had another chance to be the hero but this time his shot was off the mark.  The Flying Fleet had their opportunity at the end of the second overtime but Maurice Daniels' last ditch shot was blocked out of bounds as the horn sounded.

Gabbard's game winning shot was his second this season.  During the Florida Tech Tournament at Thanksgiving, Gabbard hit a contested layup as time expired against Union University.

Gabbard finished with a game-high 25 points while Perkins scored 24 points.  Perkins also had 10 rebounds to give him the famed "double-double" for the game.  Gore again dominated the boards, snagging a game-high 15 rebounds.  He also had 5 blocks in the contest.

The Bobcats were led by Jacquise Moore's 21 points and 9 rebounds.  Teammate Raul Tutton contributed 13 points while Smith ended with 10 points.

Erskine hosts Pfeiffer University this Wednesday starting at 7:30 p.m.