Fifth-ranked Mount Olive wins eighth straight

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 6, 2005 2:02 AM

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DUE WEST, S.C. - Mount Olive outscored Erskine 23-4 in the final eight minutes, including nine straight points in the final 16 seconds, to take an 83-73 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference victory over the Flying Fleet on Saturday.

The Trojans, ranked fifth in the latest NCAA Division II East Region poll, have now won eight straight.

The Flying Fleet fell short in its upset attempt despite shooting a remarkable 77 percent in the first half. The teams were tied at 46 at halftime, but Erskine continued its hot shooting to lead 69-60 with 7:48 remaining.

The Trojans rallied to take a 72-71 lead on an Elton Coffield basket with 2:34 left. A 3-point basket by Maurice Horton gave Mount Olive a 77-73 lead with 16 seconds left, and the Trojans put the game away with six free throws in the final 13 seconds.

Mount Olive improved its overall record to 17-2 and its CVAC mark to 11-1. Erskine fell to 7-11 overall and 4-7 in the conference.

The Fleet was hampered by foul trouble for two of its starters. Point guard T.J. Taylor missed the last 14 minutes of the first half after drawing his third foul. Williams, who had 16 first-half points, was called for his fourth foul with 14 minutes to play and missed seven critical minutes.

Reed Long had 23 points, Williams 20 and Matt Odom 12 to lead Erskine.

Coffield had 22 points to lead four Mount Olive players in double figures.

Horton ended with 17 points, while Chris Bartley and Sharome Holloway each had 14.