DUE WEST, S.C. --- Sophomore Rishad Felton notched a season-high in points (14) and minutes (20) while the Lees-McRae men's basketball claimed a thrilling 59-58 victory at Erskine in a Conference Carolinas battle Saturday evening at Belk Arena in Due West, S.C.
The Bobcats (13-10, 8-8 CC) tied a school record by tallying their 13th win on the season while senior Raul Tutton (Memphis, Tenn.) scored 12 points. The Flying Fleet (9-14, 5-11) enjoyed a 19-point showing from Ray Lock.
LMC forced 20 turnovers while junior Cameron Redd (Garner, N.C.) grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
Felton (Hendersonville, N.C.) ripped net on a pair of triples while a pair of Donte Falls (Shelby, N.C.) put Coach Steve Hardin's squad up 14-4 after 5:46 of play.
Tutton scored seven consecutive points for the Bobcats, but a pair of free throws from EC's Thomas Nolan shaved the deficit to four, 21-17.
The Flying Fleet used a trio of threes to complete a 23-13 run with 3:44 remaining in the opening half.
Felton splashed his fourth three of the half, extending LMC's lead to 32-26.
Lock knocked down a jumper with two ticks on the clock to make it a three-point contest at the break.
Sophomore Darius Malbon (Hickory, N.C.) used a pair of layups to spark a 10-2 run.
Three different Bobcats swiped a steal during the spurt.
Redd connected on a jumper, giving the Bobcats a sizable 55-44 lead.
The Flying Fleet methodically climbed back into the contest, using a pair of Maurice Daniels jumpers in a 50-second span.
EC's defense held the Bobcats without a point for the final 4:58.
Junior Kendall Isler's (Winder, Ga.) three would account for LMC's final bucket.
The Bobcats scrappy defense held strong by denying a potential game-winning bucket at the buzzer.
LMC looks for a school-record 14th win against Emmanuel (Ga.) Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Williams Gymnasium.
- LMC -
