BALTIMORE, MD (February 21, 2023) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (12-14) gave a great effort, but the team came up just short in a 62-49 loss to the Shaw Lady Bears (17-12) in the opening round of the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, Tuesday morning. Though the Lady Panthers gave a tremendous second half effort, but first half struggles were too much for the team to overcome in the hard-fought loss.
Some offensive struggles were a key element in the Lady Panthers’ loss. As a team, the Lady Panthers shot just 22.8% (13-of-57) from the field, including shooting just 10% (two-of-20) from the three-point line. Claflin senior forward Janell Horton led the way with 14 points in the game. Sophomore guard Nya Morris added eight points with 14 rebounds. Sophomore forward Morgan Kelson added seven points with seven rebounds.
The Lady Panthers’ struggles began in the first half when the team totaled just nine points. The team allowed their opponents to score 17 unanswered points before a lay-up from senior forward Destiny Coleman broke the seal for the Lady Panthers and scored back-to-back lay-ups in the final two minutes of the game and ended the quarter with the Lady Panthers trailing, 17-4. The Claflin struggles continued into the second quarter as the team managed just five second quarter points and ended the quarter trailing, 35-9.
The second half told a much different story as the Lady Panthers scored 20 points in each of the quarters. The run began in the third quarter when the team was able to cut their deficit down to just 12 points after a Horton free throw with 2:03 left in the third quarter left the Lady Panthers trailing, 39-27. After falling behind by as many as 19 points early in the fourth quarter, the Lady Panthers were able to cut their deficit down to just 11 points, 60-49, after a three-pointer from sophomore guard Janelle Sample with 00:45 left to play. Unfortunately, the Lady Panthers would get no closer and ended the day with the loss.
The loss completes the 2022-23 season for the Lady Panthers. 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.