RALEIGH, NC (December 9, 2021) – The Claflin Panthers (2-6, 1-0 CIAA) opened Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play in a big way when the team took a 92-63 road win over the Shaw Bears (4-3, 0-1 CIAA), Thursday evening. It was a terrific shooting effort that led the Panthers to the win.
It was the Panthers’ best offensive performance of the season that keyed the win. As a team, the Panthers scored a season-high 92 points in the game and shot a scorching hot 62.7% (37-of-59) from the floor in the game. Graduate guard Donnell Frayer, Jr. led the way with a team-high 26 points off the bench for the Panthers. It was his first game back since missing the last two games due to injury. Junior guard Allen Hatchett and fellow graduate guard Noah Jenkins both scored 16 points in the win. Junior forward Shamarie McLeod added 11 points while freshman guard Richard Visitacion added 10 points.
The Panthers took control of the game with a dominating first half effort. It was near the midway point of the first half when a Frayer, Jr. three-pointer gave the Panthers a 20-10 lead with 12:05 left in the first half. From there, the Panthers never looked back as the team closed the half on another hot streak with a Hatchett jumper with four seconds left gave the Panthers a 52-32 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Panthers had to fend off a strong effort by the Bears, but the Panthers would not let their victory slip away. The Panthers didn’t allow the Bears to get any closer than 15 points, 69-54 with 9:40 left to play. From there the Panthers answered the call with a late surge of their own. The team pushed their lead to as many as 31 points, 92-61 before pulling away with the 92-63 win.
With the win, the Panthers open CIAA play at 1-0 and improve to 2-6 overall. The team will return to the road, Saturday, to take on the Lander Bearcats, Saturday.