ORANGEBURG, SC (January 19, 2023) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (9-7, 3-5 CIAA) could not seem to find a groove, Wednesday, when the team took a 59-53 loss to the Winston-Salem State University Rams (10-6, 6-2 CIAA). The Lady Panthers struggled early and had a hard time getting points on the scoreboard, but the team was able shake off a bad start and stayed competitive throughout the entire game.
Though the Lady Panthers played with a strong effort, the team struggled against some tough defense. The Lady Panthers combined to shoot just 37.0% (20-of-54) from the floor with 25 turnovers. Claflin senior forward Janell Horton continued her strong play recently with a game-high 17 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Nya Morris added a near double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, and five steals.
The Claflin struggles began early as the Lady Panthers struggled through the first half. It took the team nearly half of the first quarter for their first field goal of the game, a three-pointer from sophomore guard Janelle Sample that cut the team’s deficit down to nine points, 3-12, with 5:12 left in the period. In the second quarter, the team was sent to the locker room trailing by 15 points, their largest deficit of the game, 34-19.
The second half told a different story as the Lady Panthers were able to claw their way back into the game. The whittled their deficit down to just two points, 36-34, after a Horton lay-up with 2:58 left to play. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Panthers would claim their first lead of the game after a Sample three pointer put the team ahead, 45-43 with 7:53 left to play. Though the Lady Panthers would be able to tie the game and stayed within reach, the team allowed some clutch Winston-Salem State free throws to put the game away.
With the loss, the Lady Panthers fall to 9-7 overall and 3-5 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return to action, Saturday, when they head to Raleigh, North Carolina to take on Saint Augustine’s. For more information on Lady Panthers basketball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.