Claflin Men Upends Virginia Union in CIAA Play

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by Panthers Sports Information Department

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Triston Thompson led four players in double-figures with 18 points as the Claflin University Panthers ended a six-game losing streak, defeating Virginia Union University, 72-70, in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) contest at the Tullis Arena on Thursday (Dec. 6).
 
The home victory, lifted Claflin season record to 3-7 overall and 2-2 in the CIAA.
 
Thompson, who was 6-of-9 from the field, also tied Danny Brown with three three-pointers in the game. He also added eight rebounds and dished out four assists in the win.
 
Brown followed Thompson in scoring for the Panthers with 16 points, while Austin Lawton and Cornellius Reynolds added 11 points each.
 
Virginia Union (3-5, 0-1 CIAA) was led by Demarius Pitts with a game-high 22 points.
 
Claflin finished the game hitting 12-of-20 from three-point range and shooting 55.8% (24-for43) from the field.
 
The teams exchanged the lead over most of the second half until a three-point play by Brown was followed by two straight three-point field goals from Thompson propelling the Panthers to 66-60 lead with 2:34 left.
 
Claflin expanded the lead to 69-62 with 41 seconds left on a basket by Brown.
 
Virginia Union rallied to pull within a bucket twice in the last 10 seconds.
 
Virginia Union led 33-30 lead at intermission, thanks to a three-pointer from Jemal Smith in the closing seconds.
 
The opening half had two lead changes with Claflin holding the largest at 10 points. The Panthers had four three-pointers and knocked down 8-of-13 free throws in the half.
 
Claflin will return to action on Saturday (Dec. 9) at Saint Augustine in another CIAA contest.