Newberry Slips Past Claflin 57-54

Orangeburg, SC- The Newberry Indians used second half free throws, to pull out a narrow victory, over the Claflin University Panthers 57-54.

Zack Chandler led the Indians of Newberry College with a game high 22 points. Terrence Spillers had a big night on the glass, as he brought down 16 rebounds, for the Indians.

Calflin’s Jerome Starr scored 20 points. Ernest Sinkfield added 11 points for the Panther cause.

The first half wad played on even terms as there were13 lead changes and 9 ties in the opening 20 minutes of play. Claflin went into halftime leading by two points 25-23.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first half as neither team could open up a comfortable lead. Claflin’s largest lead of the second half was 6 points, 45-39 with 7:20 left in the game. Newberry’s largest lead was its final margin, 3 points 57-54.

The exciting finished began with the Panthers holding a slim 2 point lead 50-48, on two free throws by Brian Johnson, with 2:41 left to play. The visitors regained the lead on a 3 pointer by Alonzo Hinds, for a 51-50 score at the 2:15 mark. Jerome Starr stole the ball and scored on a lay-up as Claflin took the lead 52-51, with a 1:00 left. Following a missed three pointer by Hinds, Starr increased the Panther lead to 3 points 54-51, with two free throws with :23 left to play. Chandler was then fouled, and went to the line and made both free throws to cut the Panther lead to one 54-53 with :18 remaining. Following a Panther turnover, Chandler was fouled. He sank both free throws as the Indians regained the lead 55-54, with :16 remaining. Claflin brought the ball up the floor and Casey Jackson was fouled in the act of shooting with :07 left. Jackson missed both free throws, but Russell Stewart rebounded the second missed shot, and missed the follow shot. Matt Alexander rebounded the miss and was fouled by Ernest Sinkfield with :06 left. Alexander sank both free throws as the Indians squeaked out the victory 57-54.