Box Score Due West, S.C. – After trailing by seventeen points at halftime, the Erskine Flying Fleet (6-5, 4-1) rallied to win 72 to 71 and hand the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College (8-3, 4-1) their first conference loss tonight in women's basketball action at Belk Arena.
 
It was not until the final minute that Erskine took their first lead of the game.   After a miss by Belmont Abbey, Erskine pushed the ball up the court.  Sophomore guard Ashley Espinosa (Reading, PA, Governor Mifflin High School) penetrated down the right side of the lane and hit a contested layup to give Erskine their first lead at 71 to 70 with just twenty-seven seconds remaining.
 
The Crusaders tied the game at 71 to 71 on their subsequent possession as Morgan Midkiff drew a foul and made one of two free throws. 
 
After gathering the missed free throw, the Fleet again raced up the court.  Espinosa drove the lane again, this time drawing a foul and sending her to the foul line.  Espinosa made one of two free throws to put Erskine back in front.
 
Belmont Abbey got a good shot off from the corner as time expired, but the shot was off the mark, giving the Flying Fleet the thrilling come from behind upset victory.
 
Espinosa led the Fleet with 18 points and 6 rebounds.  Sophomore Raygon Hendrix (Summerville, SC, Pinewood Preparatory School) came off the bench to contribute 14 points while Kristin Giles (Union, SC, Union County High School) had 11 points.
 
Belmont Abbey had nine players score on the night, led by Midkiff's 20 points.  Teammate Tajanna Brown was the only other Crusader to reach double-digits with 13 points.
 
After a slow start by both teams, Belmont Abbey used an 11-0 run in the opening period to grab an early 18 to 7 lead.  The Crusaders expanded their lead to as many as 22 points before settling with a 17 point lead at intermission. 
 
Erskine returns to the hardwood on Saturday as the Falcons of Pfeiffer University visit Belk Arena.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.