ORANGEBURG, SC (February 1, 2022) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (4-15, 3-7 CIAA) gave a solid overall effort, but the team could not stop the Saint Augustine’s Falcons (7-11, 3-7 CIAA) in a 75-69 loss, Monday evening. The Lady Panthers came up strong at the offensive end of the court, but the team could not quite find a way to stop the Falcons in the tough loss.
The loss came despite one of the best offensive games of the season for the Lady Panthers. The team totaled 69 points but were held to shooting just 38.7% (24-of-62) from the floor. Freshman guard Blesseth Dillingham led the way for the Lady Panthers with a career-high 17 points in the game to go along with five assists. Junior forward Breanna Price added 14 points with a team-high seven rebounds. Fellow freshman Lauren Scott added 13 points.
The first half was a tough one for the Lady Panthers. In the first quarter, the Lady Panthers took control of the game early with a great first quarter effort, but the team allowed a big second quarter by the Falcons to trail at the half. In the first quarter, the Lady Panthers built their largest lead, 17-11, after a free throw from junior forward Destiny Coleman with 2:20 left in the first quarter. From there, the Lady Panthers went on to claim the 20-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. Things got tougher for the Lady Panthers in the second quarter as the team held to just 10 points and took a 37-30 deficit into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half, the Lady Panthers continued to play well, but the team could not quite keep up with the Falcons. After falling behind by as many as 12 points, 42-30, the Lady Panthers were able to get back into the game as a three-point play from freshman center Brandi Rivers tied the game, 44-44 with 4:45 left in the third quarter. From there, the Lady Panthers kept the game close, but the team would not regain the lead before ending the quarter trailing, 55-50. The Lady Panthers would tie the game, 60-60 after a Price lay-up with 5:10 left to play. Unfortunately, the final minutes of the game belonged to the Falcons who pulled away late to give the Lady Panthers a 75-69 loss.
With the loss, the Lady Panthers fall to 4-15 overall and 3-7 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return to action, Wednesday, when the team hosts the Savannah State Tigers in a 5:30 p.m. game.