CLAFLIN LOOSES IN O.T. TO THE UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 57-54

Greenville, SC- Claflin University met the University of the District of Columbia in the 4^th annual HBCU Classic at the Southside High School Gymnasium, in Greenville, SC.

The Claflin Panthers fell to the Firebirds of UDC, in overtime 57-54.

Willie Shaw scored a game high 22 points. Charlie Smallwood scored 13 points. And Frank Peterson contributed 10 points for the Firebirds.

The Panthers were led by Jerome Starr with 18 points. Casey Jackson scored 13 points. And Ernest Sinkfield added 11 points.

Claflin held a seven point edge at the intermission 29-19. Jerome Starr led the Panthers at the half with nine points. Willie Shaw was the big man for the Firebirds with 12 first half points.

The Firebirds came out of the locker room on fire as they went on a 11-5 run to cut the Panther lead to one 31030 with 12:34 left. Ernest Sinkfield answered the run with a three pointer for a 43-30 Panther lead at the 11:53 mark.  Justin would tie the game at 36-36 with 9:34 left in regulation. The score remained tied for the next 2:02, when the Head Coach of the Firebirds picked up a technical foul. The Panthers forged ahead by three points 42-39 with 3:36 left in regulation. Two free throws by Sinkfield made the score 44-39, with 2:43 remaining. UDC came right back and made two free throws and converted a Panther steal into two points to cut the lead to one 46-45, with 1:03 left. Claflins’ Starr made one of two free throws for a 47-45 lead. UDC’s Frank Peterson answered with a field goal to tie the contest 47-47. Jerome Starr went to the basket hard but his soft shot rimmed out as time expired, in regulation.

Casey Jackson began the scoring, for the Panthers in overtime, with a driving lay-up, to go up 49-47. Charlie Smallworth answered with a three pointer as the Firebirds took the lead 50-49.  With three minutes left the Panthers regained the lead 51-50, on a basket in the lane by Brian Johnson. With 2:34 left in the overtime Antwon Hawkins knotted the score 51-51 by connecting on one of two free throws. Willie Shaw put the Firebirds back up 53-51 on a lay-up with 1:22 remaining. Following a Panther miss Peterson made a two point basket as the score now stood 55-51. :29 left. Casey Jackson made a lay-up and was fouled on the play. Jackson calmly sank the free throw to cut the UDC lead to one point 55-54. Claflin fouled Donald Walker and he went to the line and made both free throws as the UDC went up 57-54, with :03 left. The three point attempt at the buzzer was short, and the Firebirds defeated the Panthers 57-54.