BANNER ELK, N.C. – Lees-McRae men's basketball used a complete performance in its 97-57 victory over Erskine on Saturday afternoon. Five Bobcats scored double figures with
Justin Nichelson leading the way with 16 and
Nico Ashley followed with 15 points on a perfect 6-6 from the field.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 97; Erskine – 57
LOCATION: McNair & Debi Tornow Court – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (6-10/2-6), Erskine (0-15/0-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Timon Jones and Williams Onyeodi knocked down back-to-back threes to begin the contest for Lees-McRae as the Bobcats held the 12-2 advantage after the first media timeout at 16:00 in the first half.
- Gabe Bryant sent home a dunk to push the Bobcat advantage to 15 points and Jaylin Stewart drained a fastbreak jumper the ensuing offensive possession.
- Nichelson contributed a three-pointer to give Lees-McRae the 37-18 lead and Jeremy Golson recorded a three at the 5:17 as the Bobcats led 46-22.
- Ashley registered a triple at the buzzer as Lees-McRae held the 32-point margin over the Flying Fleet on Saturday on the McNair & Debi Tornow Court.
- The Bobcats cruised in the second half as Brandon Brown collected a three at the 6:21 mark of the second half to eclipse 90 points and Matthew Knafelz scored the final two points of the night with a putback layup at 97-57.
- Lees-McRae shot a season-high 59.7% (37-62) and made 14 from beyond-the-arc in the decisive victory.
- The Bobcats tallied 19 points off 16 Erskine turnovers and 48 points for Lees-McRae came from off the bench.
- Jones and Stewart each registered 11 points in the win and Brown found himself in double-figures also with 10 on 4-7 shooting from the field. Golson continued his hot streak from deep with three three-pointers and Sidney Dollar had a solid game with seven points to go along with five assists and four rebounds.
- Bryant came off the bench and played well as the senior from Spartanburg, South Carolina had six points and seven boards in the 97-57 victory.
FOR THE FLYING FLEET:
- Lanyc Shuler recorded a game-high 20 points on 8-18 shooting to pace the Flying Fleet and Jaylen Prioleau almost had a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae returns to Conference Carolinas play on Saturday, Jan. 7 for a 4 p.m. showdown with the Flying Fleet of Erskine.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
