BRISTOL, TENN. –
Nico Ashley recorded a game-high 18 points, but Lees-McRae men's basketball fell to Erskine, 88-85, in the first round of the 2025 Conference Carolinas Men's Basketball Tournament.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: No. 11 Erskine – 88; No. 8 Lees-McRae – 85
LOCATION: Student Center Complex – Bristol, Tennessee
RECORDS: Erskine (11-18/6-14), Lees-McRae (13-16/10-10)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Travis Pourciau got the Bobcats on the board with a dunk at the 17:56 mark of the first half. Lees-McRae tied the game at 9-9 and led 12-11 off a three-pointer from Ashley.
- Erskine regained the lead with a three-pointer by Jayden Byrd with 14:01 to play in the first half. Brandon Brown converted two free throws for the 26-25 lead for the Bobcats and Ashley extended the advantage to three points after a layup.
- Erskine built a five-point advantage into the halftime break after a three-point play from Christian Monroe.
- The Flying Fleet moved their lead to seven points at the 18:14 mark of the second half. Lees-McRae tied the game at 64-64 off a layup from DJ Kent.
- Erskine grabbed the lead again at 66-64 and moved its lead back to seven points off a three-pointer from Moses Cheek.
- Oli Smith cut the deficit to one point after three made free throws with 28 seconds left in regulation. Erskine connected on its free throws late and Ja'Quavian Florence missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.
- Ashley tallied 18 points on 6-10 shooting and eight rebounds in the game. Smith followed with 14 points and six rebounds. Kent followed with 13 points and Brandon Brown scored 12 points off the bench. Florence rounded out the Bobcats in double figures with 10.
- Erskine advances to play No. 5 King tomorrow evening in Bristol, Tennessee.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae men's basketball rounds out its season this evening with a 13-16 overall record and 10-10 in conference contests.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
