Claflin men, women reach semifinals
More history was made to begin Thursday’s CIAA Tournament at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore.
Led by senior guard Nya Morris, Claflin women’s basketball rolled to a 71-45 win over Shaw to reach the conference semifinals for the first time in school history.
Morris posted a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore forward Ashari Lewis added 15 points and redshirt sophomoreforwardLeighaHarrischipped in 13 points to lead the Panthers (17-10), who will meet defending champion Elizabeth City State on Friday at noon.
Along with Morris’ dominant performance, Claflin’s defensive effort was key. The Panthers, who hail from Orangeburg, South Carolina, forced 22 turnovers and held the Bears (14-15) to 32.8% shooting from the field. Morris recorded four of Claflin’s 11 steals, while junior forward Leigha Harris added two blocks.
Senior forward Alexis Radcliff scored 13 points and junior guard Elisha Quinn added 11 for Shaw, which beat Virginia Union in overtime to reach the quarterfinals.
Claflin men hold on, reach semifinals:
In their two previous meetings this year, Claflin coach Brion Dunlap didn’tlikehowhismen’steamplayed ontheoffensiveglassagainstVirginia State.
The Panthers (17-9, 14-5) cleaned that up in a big way Thursday afternoon, enjoying an 11-4 advantage in offensive rebounds and a 16-4 advantage in second-chance points to defeat the Trojans, 75-69, in the quarterfinals of the CIAA Tournament at CFG Bank Arena.
Claflin was led by Jailen Williams’ 23 points. Kendall Bynum led Virginia State with 19.
“[Our other games against them] were battles on the glass,” Dunlap said. “I knew we had to compete there if we wanted to win. Our guys made a great effort to go and get the ball.”
Claflin advances to Friday’s semifinals, where they will meet Lincoln University at 2 p.m.
ThePanthersledalmosttheentire game, taking a 5-3 lead just three minutes after the opening tip that theyneverrelinquished.Claflineventually built to the lead to 14 with 14:01
left in the second half, but Virginia State gradually chipped away.
The Trojans (15-15, 8-10) used a jumper off a steal by Bynum to cut the margin to 70-67 with 55 seconds left, but the Panthers tightened their defense and, despite missing several free throws in the final minute, hung on for the win.
“We have some things we need to clean up at the end of the game, but it was a great team win,” Dunlap said. “Survive and advance, that’s what we did.”
For Virginia State, coach Lonnie Blow Jr. said another slow start was part of what doomed the Trojans. They fell behind 15-0 in their opening round game against Johnson C Smith, and although it was closer Thursday, they were usually playing from behind.
“Toughdayforus,”Blowsaid.“We got off to a poor start [again] and you just can’t keep doing that in tournament play. You’ve got to be ready at the start of the game so you’re not playing uphill. We fought all night and we had a chance at the end. That’s just the way the ball bounces sometimes.”