DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College men's basketball team (2-8, 0-4 CC) was defeated by Young Harris College (8-5, 3-1 CC) by a score of 76-72 at Belk Arena on Wednesday night.

Erskine started the game on a 9-3 run thanks to hot shooting start from Christian Monroe and Jaylen Prioleau, but the first half was tightly contested for most of the way, until YHC closed on a 7-0 run to take a 34-26 lead into the break. The Fleet, though, came roaring out of the locker room in the second half, with a triple from Jayden Byrd capping a 13-4 run to put the Fleet in front, 39-38 before the first media timeout. The Mountain Lions answered back and held the lead through most of the second period, but the Fleet hung around, staying within two possessions all night. In the final minute, Erskine looked to be starting a furious rally after three-pointers from Byrd and Robinson made it a four-point game with 28 seconds left. Young Harris kept the door open by missing a pair of free throws and the Fleet had two good chances to score on the ensuing possession but were unable to get any closer. YHC went down the other end and knocked down two free throws to seal the game.
 
GAME STATS vs Young Harris (L 72-76)
POINTS: Corey Gaines (17)
REBOUNDS: Jaylen Prioleau (8)
ASSISTS: Corey Gaines (3), Christian Monroe (3)
STEALS: Jaylen Prioleau (3)

THE PLAYER
The Fleet had a balanced offensive attack, and a couple different Erskine players made timely buckets to keep them within striking distance, but none more so than freshman Corey Gaines, who totaled a team-high 17 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 mark from the free throw left. Gaines also dished out three assists without committing a turnover and added a steal in 26 minutes.

THE TEAM
Erskine shot 42% (25-59) from the field and 43% (12-28) from the three-point line. Erskine was 67% (10-15) from the free throw line and held an explosive Mountain Lions team to just six made threes, but the Fleet were undone on the glass, being outrebounded 45 to 21.

WHAT'S NEXT? 
Erskine is back in action this weekend when they welcome Chowan University (8-5, 2-2 CC) to town on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Hawks earned a win in Due West last season and have won three straight in the series.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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