Claflin Lady Panthers Fall to Virginia State in Non-Conference Action

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by Panthers Sports Information Department

PETERSBURG, VA – The Claflin University women's basketball team four-game winning streak came to an end Thursday (Nov. 29) as they fell to Virginia State University 52-39 in a non-conference contest.
 
The loss, Claflin first since an 83-65 decision to the University of Tampa (Nov. 10), dropped the Lady Panthers season record to 4-3.
 
Ashley Fields was the only player to score in double-figures for Claflin with 11 points, including 5-of-8 from the charity stripe. Shakarri Mack was next in scoring for the Lady Panthers at seven points followed by Deja Dickens with six points and six rebounds.
 
Virginia State, 5-2, was led in scoring by Chrisanna Green and Autumn Hopson with 11 points apiece.
 
The third quarter had very limited offensive output by either team.  Claflin did managed to control the third quarter, outscoring the Trojans 8-4 to trim a 30-23 halftime deficit to 34-31 heading into the final stanza.
 
Virginia State regrouped in the fourth quarter outscoring Claflin 18-8. The contest had remained close as late as 4:27 left in the game as Claflin trailed by just four points, 40-36. The Trojans racked up 12 of the game's last 15 points en route to the 13 point win.
 
Virginia State shot 55.6% (5-of-9) from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
 
Claflin opened scoring the game's first four points, only to see the Trojans take at 5-4 lead on a layup from Taylor Haynes at the 6:13 mark. The lead was quickly pushed to 10-5 over the next 3-1/3 minutes. Virginia State finished the quarter scoring six-of-10 points for a 16-9 advantage heading into the second quarter.
 
The second quarter saw the Trojans expand their lead to double-digits, 19-9, with 9:30 showing on the clock. Virginia State would hold a 16-point lead on three separate occasions, the last being at 30-14 with 3:27 left in the quarter.
 
The Lady Panthers scored the last nine points of the quarter to trail by seven, 30-23, at the half.
 
Claflin will travel to Chowan University for a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) on Saturday (Dec. 1) at 2 p.m.