ELIZABETH CITY, NC (December 17, 2021) – Claflin Panthers (2-9, 1-1 CIAA) could quite get their offense going in a 64-44 road loss to the Elizabeth City State Vikings (5-4, 1-0 CIAA), Thursday evening. The Panthers played a solid defensive game, but the team could not quite get their offense going in the road loss.
It was offensive struggles that plagued Panthers throughout the game. As a team, the Panthers shot 29.6% (16-for-54) in the game. Junior guard Allen Hatchett led the way for the Panthers with 11 points in the game. Graduate forward Romero Hill added nine points. Senior forward Isaiah Jennings led the Panthers rebounding efforts with five rebounds in the game.
The first half was especially slow for the Panthers. For the half, the Panthers totaled just 18 points. Things looked good early for the Panthers as a three-pointer from Shamarie McCloed tied the game 13-13 iwht 11:43 left in the first half. However, for the remainder of the half, the Panthers managed just five points on a Hatchett three-point play and jumper that left the team trailing the Vikings, 30-18 at halftime.
In the second half, the Panthers made a strong effort to come back, but the team could not quite get enough to claim the win. During the half, the Panthers fell behind by as many as 25 points, but the team was able to put on a late push in the final minutes of the game. In the final five minutes of play, the Panthers outscored the Vikings 13-8, but ended the day with the 64-44 loss.
With the loss, the Panthers fall to 2-8 overall and 1-1 in CIAA play. The team will return to action, Monday when they head to Ettrick, Virginia to take on the Virginia State Trojans.