Box Score Due West, S.C. – Twice the Erskine Flying Fleet (9-14, 5-11) bounced back from double-digit deficits but came up a point short in upsetting the visiting Bobcats of Lees-McRae College (13-10, 8-8) in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action at Belk Arena last night.
 
The Fleet struggled against the Bobcat's physical trapping scheme to open the game.  The Fleet turned the ball over on four of their first eight possessions, including their first two possessions of the game, and trailed by ten just a little over five minutes into the game. 
 
Erskine closed out the half, drawing within a point twice, before settling on a three point deficit at 38 to 35 at intermission.  Sophomore Maurice Daniels, Jr. (Spartanburg, SC, Dorman High School) hit a 3-point shot from the corner to pull the Fleet within one at 27 to 26.  Daniels came off the bench to contribute 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.  A few minutes later freshman Ray Lock (Aiken, SC, Oak Hill Academy) converted an old-fashioned three point play to give the Fleet another opportunity at the lead at 32 to 31. 
 
In the second half, the Bobcats built their lead back to double-digits with an 8 to 0 run.  The Bobcats defense forced three straight Fleet turnovers resulting in a 53 to 42 lead.
 
With less than five minutes remaining, Erskine got back-to-back baskets from Daniels and a steal and layup from senior DeShaun Hall (Inman, SC, Landrum High School) to climb within two points at 59 to 58.  In the final minute, Erskine had two opportunities to tie or take the lead but could not convert, losing by a single point, 59 to 58.
 
Lock had another impressive night in his freshman campaign, filling the stat sheet with a game-high 19 points, 7 rebounds, steal and a blocked shot.
 
For the Bobcats, Rishad Felton and Raul Tutton both came off the bench to score a team-leading 14 and 12 points respectively.
 
Erskine hosts non-conference foe Dalton State Monday night.  Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.