Cornellius Reynolds 2
62
ECSU ECSU-M 12-16, 4-10 CIAA
73
Winner Claflin CLAFMBB 13-15, 9-8 CIAA
ECSU ECSU-M
12-16, 4-10 CIAA
62
Final
73
Claflin CLAFMBB
13-15, 9-8 CIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
ECSU ECSU-M 26 36 62
Claflin CLAFMBB 32 41 73

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Claflin Finish 2019-20 Regular Season with win over Elizabeth City State

Orangeburg, S.C. – Cornellius Reynolds led a balanced scoring attack with 12 points for Claflin University as the Panthers downed Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) 73-62 in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association game on Saturday (Feb. 22).
 
In winning its second straight game to closeout the regular season, Claflin is 13-15 overall and 9-8 against teams in the CIAA. The Panthers will now turn their attention to this week's 75th CIAA Tournament that starts in Charlotte, N.C. The conference postseason tournament starts Monday (Feb. 24) and ends Saturday (Feb-29).
 
The offensive production by Reynolds marked the fourth straight game the senior led the Panthers in scoring. He had 19 points in the Johnson C. Smith University game, a career-best of 23 points against Fayetteville State University followed 22 points in the outing against Livingstone College. Reynolds also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.
 
Two other seniors, Nkem Ojem and Brandon Davis hit the double-figure mark with 10 points each. Donnell Frayer, Jr. also added 10 points off the bench.
 
Rodney Prichard, another senior, had nine points that included a pair of three-pointers.
 
For the game, the Panthers had one of their best shooting performances from the field in recent games, hitting 57.9-percent (22-for-38) and 22-of-32 in the free throw department.
 
ECSU, which finished the regular season at 12-16 overall and 4-10 in the CIAA was led in scoring by Justin Allen with a game-high 19 points and Tyjhai Byers at 11 points.
 
In the second half, Claflin outscored ECSU 22-11 to increase a six-point halftime lead from 32-26 to 54-37 midway the period.
 
ECSU continued to battle, making its final run of the game with 5:45 left as Zaccheus Hobbs nailed a three-pointer, cutting the Panthers lead into single digits at 61-52.
 
In the final three minutes, the two teams traded offensive blows, until Frayer, Jr. came off the bench to score four quick points over a 12-second span. Frayer, Jr. points pushed the Claflin lead to 70-57 with 1:40 left.
 
For good measures, Frayer, Jr. hit a soft jumper with 10 seconds remaining for the 11-point home victory.
 
The contest was close throughout the first half. After being deadlocked at 7-7, the Panthers moved ahead at 16-10 on a basket by Reynolds with 11 minutes showing on the clock.
 
The game remained close until Romero Hill drilled a three-pointer for Claflin at the 5:02 mark, pushing the Panthers lead to 24-18. Then 2-1/2 minutes later, Letrell West increased the Claflin lead to 26-18 with a pair of free throws.
 
Marin Trotman, III of ECSU converted a three-point play that reduced the Panthers lead to 27-26 with a minute left in the first half. The Panthers would gain some breathing before halftime on five unanswered points by Reynolds for a 32-26 advantage at the intermission.
 
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