Saints fall short at Lees-McRae

Limestone’s Sumner Benton had 10 points in the Saints’ loss Monday to Lees-McRae. Ledger Sports Editor

The Limestone Saints didn’t have to linger long over the statsheet to discover the reason for their loss - Lees-McRae converted 14 turnovers into 25 points.

Aaron Dugger hit two free throws with six seconds left to ice Lees-McRae’s 81-77 victory over the visiting Saints on Monday.

Brandon Shipman, who had 11 points, gave the Saints their first lead of the game at 49-48. But Henri Williams answered with a basket to regain the lead for the Bobcats.

Limestone’s Marquintus Jones, who led all scorers with 28 points, keyed a run that put the Saints on top by a point.

But the Bobcats responded with a spurt to seize the momentum. The Saints got within two on Ben Touchberry’s three-pointer but failed to draw any closer.

The Bobcats went 8 for 10 at the foul line over the game’s final minutes to seal the win.

Touchberry finished with 15 points and Sumner Benton added 10 for the Saints, who fall to 11-10 overall and 7-7 in conference play.

The loss spoiled a record-setting performance by sophomore point guard Shawn Poppie, who set the career school record for assists with 271.

He leads the CVAC with 121 this season.

In women’s action, Lees-McRae rallied for a 69-65 victory. The Lady Saints opened a nine-point lead but Lees-McRae went on a 13-4 run to tie the game at 48.

After Limestone regained the lead, the Lady Bobcats answered with a run of 10 unanswered points to lead 62-57 with 55 seconds left to play.

The Lady Saints got within a point but Julie Hardison hit two free throws for the Lady Bobcats. Limestone never got a tying shot off in the closing seconds.

Tiffany Jones led Limestone with 18 points.

Limestone will host Barton on Saturday.