ORANGEBURG, SC (February 11, 2023) – The Claflin Lady Panthers (12-11, 5-9 CIAA) broke out for a huge second half effort to claim a 96-73 win over the Saint Augustine’s Falcons (8-14, 4-10 CIAA), Saturday. The Lady Panthers scored 58 second half points to claim their third win in their last four games.
The day belonged to Claflin sophomore guard Lauren Scott who powered the Lady Panthers’ powerful offensive attack. She scored a career-high 26 points in the game, including hitting six three-pointers in the game. Fellow sophomore guard Nya Morris added 15 points with four rebounds while sophomore forward Morgan Kelson’s 10 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guard Janelle Sample came off the bench for 10 points and four rebounds.
Though it took a while for the Lady Panthers to get started, the team heated up in a big way. In the first quarter, the Lady Panthers struggled, allowing Saint Augustine’s to go ahead by as many as 11 points, 13-2. By the end of the quarter, a Sample three-pointer at the buzzer cut the Lady Panthers’ deficit down to just six points 17-23. It was in the second quarter that the Lady Panthers were able to claim their first lead after Scott jumper with 32-31 with 3:09 left in the quarter. By the end of the half, the Lady Panthers held a close 38-36 lead over the Falcons.
It was in the second half when the Lady Panthers took control of the game. The team outscored the Lady Falcons, 32-21 in the third quarter, and went ahead by as many as 14 points, 69-55, after a pair of Scott free throws with 00:40 left in the quarter. The Lady Panthers only kept things going in the fourth quarter as a lay-up from senior forward Destiny Coleman left the Lady Panthers with a 92-66 lead. From there, the team simply cruised to the 96-73 victory.
With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to12-11 overall and 5-9 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return to action, Wednesday, when they host the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos, Wednesday evening. 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.