Box Score Gaffney, S.C. – #6 seed Erskine could not pull a second upset tonight, losing 77 to 59 to #2 seed Limestone in the semi-final round of the Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Timkin Center.
Limestone broke an 11-11 tie in the first half with 11 unanswered points to claim a lead they would never relinquish. Limestone’s P.J. Foster hit back-to-back 3-point shots to spark the Saint run.
The Fleet got within four twice but Limestone again hit consecutive three points shots, this time by Michael Barrett and Foster, to extend their lead back to double-digits at halftime at 40 to 28.
In the second half, Erskine pulled within eight on three occasions but each time Limestone countered extending their lead back to double-digits. Erskine shot well in the half, 44.8%, including 3 of 10 from long range, but Limestone shot a sizzling 62.5% in the second half, including 6 of 11 from behind the arc.
Limestone’s threesome of Moultrie, Raga and Blue combined to dominate the glass 35 to 19.
Senior
Corey Sorrell (Walton, KY, Northern Kentucky University) scored a game-high 21 points in his final collegiate game. A two-year starter for the Fleet, Sorrell surpassed 1,000 points in his two year Erskine career and led the Fleet in scoring both years.
Junior
DeShaun Hall (Inman, SC, Landrum High School) had 19 points with four steals while freshman
Roderick Perkins (Smyrna, GA, Campbell High School) had 10 points with 5 rebounds.
Limestone had five players finish in double-digits, led by Foster’s 17 points. Phillip Moultrie and Charles Blue both had 13 points while Michael Barrett finished with 11 points. Ryan Bogdan came off the bench to score 12 points for the Saints.
Limestone will host #4 seed Belmont Abbey on Saturday in the Conference Carolinas Championship Game. The Crusaders defeated #1 seed Barton tonight 107 to 88 in the other semi-final game.
The loss concludes Erskine’s season who finish 18-10 overall. It is the first winning season since Erskine joined the NCAA Division II back in 1995.
