Box Score Tigerville, S.C. – In a shootout the Erskine Flying Fleet (8-8, 6-4) lost 100 to 86 to in-state conference foe North Greenville University Crusaders (5-11, 4-6) this afternoon at Hayes Gymnasium.
 
NGU shot a season-best 9 of 16 (56.3%) from beyond the 3-point line, resulting in their second-best shooting percentage of the season at 36 from 76 (47.4%) from the floor.  The Fleet also shot well, converting 46.6% (34 of 73) of their shots.
 
After trailing by six points early, Erskine's Naomi Stuger (Marietta, GA, Kell High School) ignited a 15-0 run that gave the Fleet the first significant lead of the game at 41 to 30 with just under six minutes remaining.  Stuger converted an old-fashioned three-point play and defensively the Fleet held the Crusaders scoreless over their next nine possessions, forcing turnovers on five of those nine possessions.
 
The Crusaders responded with their own 11-0 that left the game tied at 43 to 43 at intermission.
 
The red-hot NGU squad scored the second half's first basket and never trailed again.  The Crusaders used an 18 to 4 run to stretch the lead to double-figures and the Fleet never threatened afterwards.  The Crusaders shot 50% from the floor in the second period.
 
Erskine's Ashley Espinosa (Reading, PA, Governor Mifflin High School) scored a co-game-high 26 points while Stuger finished with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds coming off the bench.
 
The Crusaders had five players score in double-figures, led by Timisty Nelson's 26 points and 10 rebounds.  Emily Wampler went 6 for 10, including 3 for 4 from long range, to contribute 17 points.
 
Erskine will play their second of four straight away games this Monday against the Bobcats of Lees-McRae College.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.