Pantherettes Win at the Buzzer

Orangeburg, SC-  Shontavia Bladen hit a running jumper at the buzzer to give the Pantherettes (8-13) a 60-58 victory over the Chowan Hawks in the Jonas T. Kennedy Center,on the campus of Claflin University. There were eight ties and eight lead changes all in the second half of this exciting game.

Joi Hazel led all scores, with 18 points, followed by Lauryn Perry, with 13 points for Chowan. The Pantherettes again had balanced scoring with four players in double figures, Brittany Woods 15 points, Ashley Sorrell-Gibson 14 points, and Jayshaun Bailey and Shontavia Bladen with 10 points each.

Claflin started the game on an 8-2 run and led by as many as 14 points 24-10 at the 8:12 mark of the first half. The Hawks found their shooting touch and were within seven points 28-21 at the break. Brittany Woods led the Pantherettes at the half with 9 points and Joi Hazel brought the Hawks back with 12 points.

Chowan began the second half on a run that would give them their first lead of the game 32-31 at the 14:31 mark. From that point there were eight ties leading up to Bladen’s heroics. With the game tied for the final time at 58 with 7.2 seconds left, Coach Samuels called a time-out. Ashley Sorrell Gibson took the ball the length of the floor and found Bladen on the left side. Bladen went up without hesitation and shot a running jumper that hit nothing but net as time expired to give Claflin the thrilling victory.

The Pantherettes will travel to Denmark, SC on Monday for a visit  to Voorhees College with a 5:30 start.