CLAFLIN LOSES DOUBLE-HEADER TO LANE

Jackson, TN- The Claflin University Panthers and Pantherettes lose to Lane College, Saturday night in the Oman Arena.

The Pantherettes found themselves on the short end of a 75-62 score, to the Lady Dragons of Lane College.

Lane scored the first point of the game, on a free-throw by Veronica Jackson. But Claflin quickly jumped out to an 8 point advantage with a 9-0 run, on two three point baskets by Lesha Brigham, and two free-throws by Ashley Sorrell-Gibson to lead 9-1 with just 16:43 in the first half.  The Lady Dragons tied the score 16-16, at the 9:35mark, with a 15-9 run.  The Pantherettes were out scored 21-11 the rest of the half, and went into the locker room down 27-37.

Down by 12 points, 29-41, early in the second half, the Pantherettes went on a 14-4 run to cut the Lady Dragon lead to just 2 points, 43-45 with 14:42 left in the game.  That would be as close as the Pantherettes would get, as the Lady Dragons went up by 13 points by the 8:52 mark.  Lane would cruise the rest of the way for the 75-62 win.

The Lady Dragons were led by Shenay Crater with 22 points, Veronica Jackson’s 21 points, Shelice Crater’s 12 points, and Demia Thompson with 10 points.

Claflin’s Ashley Sorrell-Gibson led all scorers with 23 points, followed by Lesha Brigham’s 19 points, and 11 points from Lashaundra Barron.

In the men’s contest it was timely free-throw shooting that propelled the Dragons over the Panthers 54-51.  

In the low scoring contest neither team was able to gain a double-digit lead.  The largest being a nine point lead by the Dragons 43-35 with 7:04 left in the game.  That was when the excitement began.  After an intentional foul was called on Lane’s Greg Lott, for under cutting Panthers’ guard Eric Salley on an electrifying dunk attempt, which silenced the crowd as Salley lie motionless on the floor.  Salley was able to get to his feet to the applause of the fans.  Salley went to the line and made both free-throws.  Claflin then put the ball in play under their basket and Salley was fouled again.  Eric made one of two free-throws to cut the lead down to six points, 38-44 at the 6:08 mark.  The Panthers clawed closer with an 8-4 run and found themselves down by just two points 48-50, with 1:40 left to play.  Rodney Chapman made a lay-up with 47 seconds left to put the Dragons back up by 4 points 48-52.  After a Panther turn-over, Chapman was fouled with 27 seconds on the clock.  Chapman made one of two free-throws for a 5 point lead 48-53.  Eric Salley answered quickly with a three point basket, to make the score 51-53, with 12 ticks left.  The Dragons missed a lay-up and the Panthers got the rebound but turned the ball over to the Dragons’ Chapman, who made one of two free-throws for the final score 54-51.

Lane was led by Nick Beauregard with 11 points, and Rodney Chapman with 10.

Eric Salley led all scorers with 17 points for the Panthers.  Stacy McAlister and Efe Uwadiae-Udigie tallied 12 points each.  And Thomas Bookman collected 10 points for Claflin.

The Panthers and Pantherettes next game will be in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center, Tuesday January 26, 2010, with a 5:30 pm tip-off.