Panthers Host Clark Atlanta in Crucial SIAC Matchup

Orangeburg, S.C. -- For the Claflin University men's basketball team, the next Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) East Division game is just as important as the last one. Claflin finds itself in that position as the Panthers are jockeying for a favorable seed in the upcoming conference tournament and the regular season divisional championship.

Claflin kept its divisional title hopes alive by knocking off an unbeaten Morehouse College team, 85-72, last week in much-needed win. The win knocked the Maroon Tigers out of first place in the conference. The win also halted a four-game losing streak for the Panthers.

One of the keys in the win for Claflin was a fast start by the Panthers offense, chalking up 46 points in the first half. The offensive production in the opening half was the highest for Claflin in the last five games. Claflin averaged just 30 points in the first-half during the four-game slide.

"It was good to get the win against Morehouse since just two weeks ago they handled us pretty well in Atlanta," head coach Ricky Jackson said. "I thought we came out and played with a sense of urgency and energy which helped us seal the victory."

Now the Panthers must turn their attention to divisional leader Clark Atlanta for yet another important game on Monday (Feb. 5) at the Tullis Arena. Tip off for the clash is approximately 7:30 p.m. and will be a part of Greek Night Part II.

Clark Atlanta will enter the contest with a perfect 14-0 divisional record and 20-1 overall. Clark Atlanta got past fellow division member Benedict College, 71-69, on Saturday.

"We are trying to get momentum going again, so the game against Clark Atlanta is very critical for us for tournament seeding," said Jackson.

The Panthers, 18-45 overall, hold down third place in the division at 11-4 behind Morehouse, which is 13-1. Benedict College is hot on Claflin trail, sitting just one game behind the Panthers at 10-5 in the division.

This will be the second meeting between Clark Atlanta and Claflin. Clark Atlanta won the first game in Atlanta, Ga. by 15, 97-82.

The Panthers will continue to rely on their pressure defense, ranked No. 1 in the SIAC, allowing 66 points a game, while Clark Atlanta is second best at 69.1 points.

On the offense, Clark Atlanta is scoring 82 points a game to 74.3 points for the Panthers.

Claflin is led by Jaleel Charles at 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds followed by Benjamin "Tre" Williams at 13.1 points and a team-high 32 three-pointers.

Austin Lawton is averaging 9.1 points with a team-high 46 blocked shots for the Panthers, while Triston Thompson is averaging 8.2 points.

Akil Douglas lead five players in double-figures for Clark Atlanta at 13 points followed Jamal Pollydore with 11.6 points.

Clark Atlanta currently holds the SIAC longest winning streak this season at 15 games, one short of Claflin's high of 16. Morehouse ended the Panthers streak. The only loss suffered by Clark Atlanta was an 81-64 decision to University of Alabama at Huntsville.

Clark Atlanta is 8-3 on the road, while Claflin is 8-3 in the confines of the Tullis Arena.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#11 Jaleel Charles: C; 6' 9"; Senior

#33 Austin Lawton: C; 6' 9"; Redshirt Junior

#04 Triston Thompson: G; 5' 9"; Junior

#22 Benjamin "Tre" Williams: G; 5' 11"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#11 Jaleel Charles
: 6' 9"; Senior
: C

#33 Austin Lawton
: 6' 9"; Redshirt Junior
: C

#04 Triston Thompson
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

#22 Benjamin "Tre" Williams
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G