Thompson and Reynolds Lifts Claflin to Road CIAA Win over Saint Augustine’s

Thompson and Reynolds Lifts Claflin to Road CIAA Win over Saint Augustine’s

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Morris Wright

RALEIGH, N.C. – Triston Thompson four free-throws and Cornellius Reynolds layup in the final 52 seconds lifted the Claflin University Panthers to a 60-55 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) win over Saint Augustine's University (SAU) on Saturday (Dec. 8).
 
The win, Claflin second over SAU this season, improved the Panthers season worksheet to 4-7 and evened their CIAA mark at 3-3.
 
Thompson led all scorers with 17 points that included a near-perfect performance at the free throw line at 9-of-10. For the season, Thompson is shooting 86.3% (57-of-66) from the charity stripe.
 
Jaimik Moore tallied 14 points for the Panthers and hit both of the team three-point field goals. He was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
 
Reynolds finished with seven points and nine rebounds for Claflin.
 
Mel'Quan Ames was the top scorer for SAU with 15 points.
 
The second half saw the Panthers double-digit lead of 11 points (39-28) at the 16:55 mark wiped away by a nagging SAU offense.  A three-pointer from Tyre Gathright with 11:44 left capped off a 15-2 run to give the Falcons the lead at 43-41.
 
The contest would go back-and-fourth down the stretch until Reynolds scored off a steal, putting Claflin in front for good at 56-55 with 52 seconds left. He was fouled on the scoring play, but missed the free throw.
 
Thompson sealed the road win, the Panthers first of the season, with four free-throws in the final 23 seconds.
 
In the first half, the contest was tied at 8-8 until Moore, who scored 11-of-his-14 points in the half, dropped in a three-pointer giving the Panthers an 11-8 advantage at 15:05 mark.
 
Brandon Davis scored on a fast break layup during a Clalfin 6-2 run to give the Panthers a seven-point lead, 17-10, with 10:33 showing on the clock.
 
The Panthers offense generated it first double-digit lead at 26-15 when Danny Brown knocked down a pair of free-throws at the 4:06 mark.
 
The double-digit margin did not last long as SAU scored five unanswered points to trail 26-20 with 3:05 left in the half.
 
The Panthers scored eight of the final 12 points of the period for a 34-24 lead at intermission.
 
Claflin will make their final home appearance before the Christmas break, taking on Virginia State University in a CIAA matchup on Tuesday (Dec. 11) at 7:30 p.m.