Triston Thompson Last Second Shot Lifts Claflin Over Fayetteville State
Thompson Eclipse the 1000th Career Point MarK
Romanda Noble-Watson, SID
Orangeburg, S.C. – Graduate guard Triston Thompson hit a short floater as time expired as the Claflin University men's basketball team won its second straight, defeating Fayetteville State University, 68-67, in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest in Tullis Arena.
Thompson had an historic night as he scored his 1000th career point off a layup at the 11:07 mark of the second half. He finished the game with 15 points and three assists. Thompson was also honored before the game as the men's basketball nominee for the Lowe's CIAA Senior CLASS Award.
Graduate center Austin Lawton led all scorers with 21 points including 7-of-9 from the field and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. He also added two assists and one block to his stat line.
Danny Brown rounded out the double-digit scorers with 13 points for Claflin, who improved to 9-12 overall and 7-8 in the CIAA.
Cornellius Reynolds had a balanced game for the Panthers, scoring seven points with seven rebounds, three assists a block and two steals.
Joshua Bryant led Fayetteville State (4-16, 3-10 CIAA) with 18 points. JaQuel Richmond had 14 points while Markeise Crutchfield and Xavier Williams pulled in team highs six rebounds each.
Claflin had to battle from an eight-point half-time deficit (37-29) en route to the one-point victory.
The Panthers will return to action this Thursday, Feb. 7, when they host Winston-Salem State University for Military Appreciation Day. It will also be blackout night and fans are encouraged to wear black to the 7:30 p.m. contest.