Box Score Gaffney, S.C. – Senior Tara Potter's double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds was not enough as the Erskine Flying Fleet (18-12) lost to top seed and #3 ranked Limestone College Saints (29-1) 68 to 63 tonight in the semi-final round of the Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship Tournament at the Timken Center.
Despite never leading in the game, Erskine kept the game's outcome in doubt until the end. In the first half, Limestone used a 7-0 run to achieve their largest lead of the half at eleven. Limestone's Jasmine Kearse started the run with a 3-point basket and ended it with a steal and layup.
Erskine scored the last four points of the half to trim the Limestone lead to seven at 24 to 17. Sophomore
Naomi Stuger (Marietta, GA, Kell High School) converted two free throw attempts and senior
Andrienne Bannerman (Wilmington, NC, Pender High School) hit a short jumper to make the score 24 to 17 at intermission.
The Saints opened the second period with another 7-0 run. Kearse again ignited the run with a 3-point basket and concluded it with another 3-pointer. Kearse finished with four 3-pointers in the game.
After Limestone extended their lead to twenty points, Erskine got back to within five points after a layup by
Potter (Charlotte, NC, Bandys High School) with 33 seconds remaining. With the Fleet forced to foul, the Saints hit three of four free throws down the stretch to maintain the lead.
In addition to Potter's double-double, sophomore
Giles (Union, SC, Union County High School) contributed 13 points.
The Saints had three players finish in double-figures, led by Alicia Brookins and Kearse's 16 points each. Warren came off the bench to contribute 14 points and Morgan Brown led the Saints on the boards with 7 rebounds while handing out 5 assists.
With the win, Limestone advances to tomorrow's championship game to start at 7:00 p.m.
