DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College men's basketball team (4-16, 0-12 CC) defeated Johnson & Wales University (8-11) by a score of 60-58 at Belk Arena on Monday evening.

A quick turnaround after a heartbreaking loss on Saturday, the Fleet used an 8-2 run to take an early lead and never relinquished it, holding a 29-26 advantage at the break. Erskine opened up the lead to 15 early on in the second half behind some massive threes from Jayden Byrd, but JWU battled back and set the stage for an entertaining finish.

A 9-0 Wildcats run cut the Erskine lead to 59-58 with 40 seconds remaining, but Jaylen Prioleau was fouled on the ensuing possession. He made a free throw to extend the lead to 2, and Larry Mitchell intercepted a pass in the final seconds to seal the victory.

GAME STATS vs Johnson & Wales (W 60-58)
POINTS: Jaylen Prioleau (15)
REBOUNDS: Larry Mitchell (10)
ASSISTS: Jaylen Prioleau (3), Jalen Robinson (3)
BLOCKS: Larry Mitchell (3)
STEALS: Corey Gaines (3), Christian Monroe (3)

THE PLAYER
With the Fleet hoping to avenge an early-season loss at JWU, freshman forward Larry Mitchell was a force on the interior all evening long. Mitchell totaled 7 points to go with a career-high 10 rebounds, while adding 3 blocks and the game-sealing steal in the waning seconds of the game.

THE TEAM
Erskine shot 46% (25-54) from the field and 29% (6-21) from the three-point line, but just 50% (4-8) from the free throw line. The Fleet won the game on the defensive end, forcing 16 JWU turnovers and holding an explosive Wildcats offense, averaging nearly 80 points per game this season, to just 58 points on just 40% shooting.

WHAT'S NEXT? 
Erskine goes back on the road to resume conference play with a rematch against divisional foe, Young Harris College (12-9, 6-5 CC), on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Mountain Lions escaped with a 76-72 win over the Fleet in Due West back in early January.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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