Panthers Lose to Wildcats 61-48

Orangeburg, SC- The Claflin University Panthers fell to the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University 61-48, in the Jonas T. Kennedy Center.

Fort Valley’s Milton Meadows, Roderick Hill, and Chauncey Hall each scored 12 points to lead the Wildcats.

Ernest Sinkfield scored a game high 14 points. And Brian Johnson added 12 points for the Panthers.

The Wildcats started the game hot as they went up on the Panthers early, with an 8-2 run in the first 7:12. The Wildcats employed a full court press for most of the first half, which caused 12 Panther turnovers, that resulted in 15 first half points. Fort Valley went into the locker room with an 18 point cushion 32-14.

CU picked up the intensity to begin the second half, and closed the margin to 9 points,  36-27 at the 13:37 mark. The Panthers stayed in striking distance as the Wildcat lead would be cut to 6 points, 49-43 on a steal by Jerome Starr and lay-up by Russell Stewart, with 2:09 remaining. The Wildcats made 12 straight free throws down the stretch, between a jumper by Brian Johnson and two free throws by Ernest Sinkfield, to secure the victory 61-48.

The Panthers will be at home on Wednesday as they face the Indians of Newberry College, at 8:00 p.m.