TIGERVILLE, SC (November 14, 2022) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (1-0) used a balanced attack to get the 2022-23 season started as the team rolled to a 79-69 win over the North Greenville Crusaders (0-3), Monday evening. Four Lady Panthers recorded double-digit points to claim the victory.
As a team, the Lady Panthers put on a solid overall effort. The Lady Panthers finished the game shooting a solid 39.0% (23-of-59) from the floor, including shooting 34.8% (eight-for-23) from the three-point line. Four Lady Panthers reached double-digit scoring in the game. Sophomore guard Lauren Scott led the way with 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the game. Senior forward Breanna Price added 15 points with four rebounds. Senior Janelle Horton added 13 points with seven rebounds and junior guard Nya Morris added 10 points with five rebounds.
In the first half, the Lady Panthers and Crusaders battled to gain control of the game. In the first quarter, the two teams played to a 14-14 tie. A Price free throw with 3:19 left in the first quarter put the Lady Panthers ahead 12-7, but the team allowed a 7-2 run by the Crusaders to end the quarter tied, 14-14. In the second quarter, the Lady Panthers found themselves trailing for the first time in the game, 14-16 with 9:20 left in the second quarter. After heading into the final two minutes of the Lady Panthers stormed back in a big way with back-to-back three-pointers from Morris and Scott respectively. The two scores ended the half with the Lady Panthers leading 32-27.
The second half was where the Lady Panthers really took control as the team rolled to the win. The Lady Panthers took their largest lead of the game, 37-29 after a Price jumper with 7:00 left in the third quarter. From there, the Lady Panthers remained ahead of the Crusaders as a three-pointer from sophomore forward Morgan Kelson gave the Lady Panthers a 50-41 lead with 00:42 left in the third quarter. The Lady Panthers would head into the fourth quarter with a 50-43 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Panthers had a fend off a hard-charging Crusaders team to claim the win. The Lady Panthers saw their lead cut down to just two points, 54-52 with 6:36 left in the game. However, the team answered in a big way with a 9-1 run. A Morris jumper with 4:00 left to play capped the run and gave the Lady Panthers their largest lead of the game, 65-53. From there, the Lady Panthers would not look back as they pulled away for the victory.
With the win, the Lady Panthers open the season with a 1-0 record. The team will return home for Homecoming when they face the Morris Hornets in a 1:30 p.m. game. For more information on Lady Panthers basketball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 545-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.
