ORANGEBURG, SC (November 19, 2022) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (2-0) put on an offensive showing for the ages when the team took a dominating 108-38 win over the Morris College Hornets (0-3), Saturday afternoon. The Lady Panthers’ 108 points were the most that the team scored since joining NCAA Division II and broke the century mark for the first time since November 16, 2013.
“We’re really proud of the team tonight. We always talk about going 1-0. We played on Monday and we had a good win on the road and we came back and we played in front of alumni and friends and family and we wanted to come out and have a party with them at homecoming,” said Claflin women’s basketball head coach Terrence Jenkins. “I’m proud of these young ladies.”
The Lady Panthers made the most of their first home game of the season with a tremendous overall performance. The team shot a scorching hot 55.0% (44-of-80) from the floor while holding Morris to shooting just 24.1% (14-of-58) in the game. The Claflin defense was equally impressive in the win as they held their opponents to single-digit scoring in three of the four quarters of play, including allowing just three second quarter points. Claflin junior guard Nya Morris made her home debut with the Lady Panthers with a game-high 25 points along with five rebounds and two steals. Senior forward Breanna Price added 11 points with nine rebounds and three steals as well. Sophomore forward Dior Shelton added 13 points with seven rebounds while senior center Brandi Rivers added 11 points.
The Lady Panthers took control of the game from the very beginning with a dominant first half. The team held their opponents scoreless for the first five minutes of play and built a 12-0 lead before allowing the first Morris points of the game. A pair of free throws from sophomore guard Janelle Sample capped a five-point run to close the first quarter and left the Lady Panthers ahead, 26-7 at the end of the quarter. The domination continued in the second quarter as a three-pointer at the 8:10 mark were the only points that the team allowed in the quarter as they pushed their lead to as many as 47 points, 57-10 at the end of the half.
In the third quarter, the Lady Panthers continued to roll. Sophomore forward Morgan Kelson scored back-to-back baskets in the final minutes of the quarter to keep the team on top, 72-19 heading into the fourth quarter. The Lady Panthers kept the pressure up in the final quarter as they were able to cruise to the 108-38 victory.
The win marks the only the third time that the Lady Panthers have reached the century mark on the scoreboard as they last completed the feat just over a decade ago on November 16, 2013. On that date the Lady Panthers took a 100-36 win over Barber-Scotia.
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 2-0 for the season. The team will return to the road for their next action as they head to Augusta, Georgia to take on Paine. 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.
