Claflin University Sweeps Kentucky State University in Basketball Action

Claflin University’s Panthers (4-1) and Lady Panthers (4-1) handily defeat the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University, in the Jonas T. Kennedy Center, on the Campus of Claflin University. With most of the students gone home for the semester break, did not damper the energy level of the Panthers or Lady Panthers. In front of mostly an Orangeburg, community crowd, the Panthers and Lady Panthers made those faithful glad they came.

The Panthers’ first half lead proved to be too much for the Thorobreds to overcome. Even after outscoring the Panthers 48-35 in the second half, was not enough to get close enough to make a game out of the contest. The Panthers held a 48-18 halftime lead. CU displayed their dominance in the paint with 18 first half points. The Panther defense caused 18 Thorobred turnovers that resulted in 20 points. CU scored 18 points off their bench, to Kentucky State’s 8. Karl Ray came away with 12 first half points as Eric Salley accounted for 10 points.

The Panthers would struggle offensively the first 9 minutes of the second half, with the Thorobreds cutting CU’s lead to 23 points 55-32 with 11:27 left in the game. After a Coach Woodard timeout, the Panthers righted the ship and by the 8:04 mark had regained their 30 point advantage 64-34. The Thorobreds never threatened the rest of the way as Coach Woodard cleared his bench with 3:28 left to play.

Keith Godette led the Thorobreds in the scoring column with 15 points, as no other Thorobred scored in double figures.

The Panthers again produced balanced scoring with four players in double figures. Leading the way was Karl Ray and Benjamin Lawmann with 13points each, followed by Jerome Starr and Eric Salley with 12 points.

The Panthers take to the road on December 12, 2007 in Memphis Tennessee to battle Lemoyne-Owen College.

The lady Panthers controlled this game from start to finish, but no without a scare from the Lady Thorobreds of Kentucky State University. Kentucky State cut the Lady Panther lead to nine points for the first time since the early going, with 11:24 left in the second half 49-41. Coach Samuels called a strategic timeout and fired up the players as CU went on a 19-8 run to increase their lead to 17 points 66-49, with 2:38 left. The Lady Panthers went on to cruise to their fourth win of the season, with a 13 point victory 66-53.

The Lady Thorobreds were led in scoring by Mattie Jones with a game high 20 points.

Latoya Savage led the offensive barrage for the Lady Panthers with 16 points. Jayshaun Bailey contributed 10 points for CU.

The Lady Panthers will host NCAA Division I and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member Bethune-Cookman College, Monday December 10, at 6:00 p.m.