ORANGEBURG, SC (December 15, 2022) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (8-2, 2-0 CIAA) needed every bit of effort they had to claim a 66-60 win over the Elizabeth City State Vikings (6-3, 0-1 CIAA), Thursday evening. Though the Lady Panthers controlled much of the game, the team had to fend off a furious fourth quarter comeback effort to get the win.
The Lady Panthers took the win behind a terrific overall effort. As a team, the Lady Panthers shot a solid 41.3% (19-of-46) from the floor. The team did the bulk of their damage at the free throw line where they connected on 25-of-29 free throws (86.2%) in the game. Claflin sophomore guard Nya Morris led the team with a double-double 25 points and 11 rebounds. Fellow sophomore guard Lauren Scott added 16 points. Senior forward Janell Horton added seven points with three blocks in the game.
The Lady Panthers took control of the game early with an impressive first half. In the first quarter, the Lady Panthers and Vikings both had a hard time getting their offense going. The team’s first field goal came with just under five minutes to play when a Scott three-pointer left the Lady Panthers trailing, 6-9. From there, the team was able to end the quarter trailing 15-14. It was in the second quarter when the Lady Panthers were able to take control of the game as they outscored the Vikings, 21-10 to take a 35-25 lead into the locker room.
The second half told a different story as the Lady Panthers controlled the third quarter but had to go on the defensive in the fourth quarter. In the third quarter, the Lady Panthers built their largest lead of the game after a pair of free throws from Horton left the Lady Panthers with a 46-27 lead with 6:15 left in the quarter. From there, the Lady Panthers went on to end the quarter with a 54-40 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Panthers saw their lead cut down to just two points, 62-60 with just over a minute left to play. A Morris jumper with just 17 seconds left to play proved to be the difference maker as she followed that with a pair of free throws that sealed the 66-60 win.
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return to action, Monday, when they host the Virginia State Lady Trojans. 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.