WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Erskine College men's basketball team (3-14) lost in the NCCAA South Region Championship Game by a score of 79-74 against Columbia International University (15-7) at Williams Gymnasium on Thursday night.
 
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THE SERIES
Tonight was the first meeting between the Fleet and the Rams.

THE GAME
Columbia International scored eight points in the first ninety seconds as the Fleet dug themselves into an early hole. But, Erskine responded and eventually took its first lead at 13-11 on a Jalen Canada layup. Erskine held the lead for the remainder of the half and closed on a 10-0 run capped by an Eric Washington layup as the Fleet took a 46-35 lead into the half against the two-time reigning NCCAA South Region champions. Sterling Benjmain led the way, scoring 14 of his 16 points in that first half to help give Erskine a double-digit lead at the break. The Fleet kept Columbia International at arms length for much of the second half. Benjamin picked up where he left off with a jumper to get the Fleet on the board in the second half, and Erskine's balance maintained their lead until the eight minute mark. With Erskine leading 66-58 following a Justin Morton three, the top-seeded Rams went on a 12-0 run over the next four minutes and took their first lead since the 15:37 mark of the first half. Travis Walters and Morton stopped the run with baskets on consecutive possessions, and Jalen Miller answered a Rams bucket with one of his own to tie the game at 72 with just over a minute remaining. But, Columbia International regained the lead on a three moments later. Uzziah Dawkins was fouled on the following posession and made both free throws to get the Fleet within one, but the Rams made their free throws late to seal a 79-74 in the NCCAA South Region Championship.

THE PLAYER
Sterling Benjamin scored a career-high 16 points on 7-14 shooting including a three pointer. Benjamin also grabbed four rebounds and tallied an assist and a block in the loss.

THE TEAM
Erskine shot 30-62 (48.4%) from the field but was just 2-13 (15.4%) from the three-point line. The Fleet were also just 12-21 from the free throw line, but outrebounded Columbia International 34 to 30. Erskine also outscored the Rams in the paint, 44 to 30.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine's 2021 season officially comes to an end with a loss on Thursday night as the Fleet will now prepare for a bounce back season in 2022.

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