The Claflin University Panthers can make a claim that no other team in the SIAC, or the nation can- they have defeated the Morehouse College team this season. The Fighting Maroon Tigers were 25-2 this season and Claflin is the “2” in that record.
The second defeat came earlier today in the semifinals of the SIAC tournament where the Panthers defeated the Maroon Tigers 77-69.
In the early going, a Triston Thompson three-point shot put Claflin up 5-2. It is a lead they would hold until the 6:45 mark where Omar Alston completed a three-point play to tie the game at 20. Morehouse would use a 12-7 run to take a 36-31 into halftime.
The Claflin defense was huge, particularly in the second half, where they held the SIAC’s top offensive squad to just 34.3% (12-35) and a frigid 4-20 from downtown.
Morehouse lead by nine halfway through the second half 55-46
Claflin would take the lead 67-66 on Benjamin “Tre”Williams‘ layup with 2:46 to go in the game. It was Claflin’s first lead since being up 20-17 at the 7:03 mark of the first half. That lead was quickly stretched to four following a Triston Thompson free throw and a basket from Tre Williams. Claflin would close the game by scoring seven of the game’s final ten points.
Claflin will take on the winner of the Clark-Atlanta/Benedict semifinal in Saturday’s championship game.
