Men's Basketball 2/4/2020 11:07:00 PM

Claflin Host Virginia State in Double-Header

Orangeburg, S.C. – The Claflin University men's and women's basketball teams will continue their three-game homestand when Virginia State University (VSU) comes to town, Wednesday (Feb. 5).

The non-conference double-header gets under at 5:30 p.m. with the women's game followed by the men's approximately 20 minutes after the completion of the first contest. All games will be played inside the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex (Tullis Arena).

This will be the second meeting of the season between the two teams as VSU won both games earlier in the season. The VSU men's won by the score of 82-69 while the women's posted a hard-fought 70-62 decision over Claflin.

Since the loss, the Panthers have won 9 of 17 games after a 2-4 start for an 11-12 record. The nine wins included a five-game winning streak that ended last month at Johnson C. Smith University, 63-58.

The Panthers will enter the contest fresh off a 72-66 win over Fayetteville State University in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division matchup. Four players reached the double-figure mark for Claflin with Cornellius Reynolds and Rodney Prichard scoring 13 points each followed by Devin Smith and Russell Robinson, Jr. 12 points apiece.

For the season, Letrell West and Brandon Davis continues to be the top scorers for Claflin at 13.6 points and 10.6 points, respectively.

West and Donnell Frayer, Jr. are the top three-pointer shooters for the Panthers. West leads the team with 49 followed by Frayer, Jr. at 33.

VSU, which owns a 15-7 record on the season, have three players averaging just under 12 points. Francis Fitzgerald leads the trio at 11.7 points followed by Andrew Corum with 11.4 points and Walter Williams at 11.3 points.

In the women's matchup, the Lady Panthers will be gunning for an upset over the 8-15 Trojans team they outscored in the second half the first time around. Claflin outscored 43-34 over the last two quarters after trailing 36-19 at the half.

In those two quarters, the Lady Panthers shot a sizzling 55.6-percent (15-for-29) from the field with five three-pointers, while the defense held Virginia State to 40.7-percent (11-for-17) and just one three-point basket.

Claflin (1-19, 1-11 CIAA) is led in scoring by the threesome of Dionna Long with 12.4 points, Dashia Jackson and Shakarri Mack at 12.2 points and 10.5 points, respectively.

Jackson leads the team in three-point baskets at 45.

Natalia Leaks is the only player averaging in double-figures for Virginia State at 11.0 points.

Followed Wednesday games, both Claflin teams will conclude the homestand on Saturday (Feb. 8) against Johnson C. Smith. The men's contest scheduled for 3:30 p.m. will be aired live on Aspire TV.

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Players Mentioned

#24 Brandon Davis: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#2 Cornellius Reynolds: G/F; 6' 6"; Junior

#0 Dashia Jackson: G; 5' 6"; Freshman

#11 Dionna Long: G; 5' 4"; Freshman

#20 Shakarri Mack: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#4 Devin Smith: Guard; 6' 1"; Junior

#11 Letrell West: G; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#12 Donnell Frayer, Jr.: G; 6' 2"; Junior

#33 Russell Robinson, Jr.: G/F; 6' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#24 Brandon Davis
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#2 Cornellius Reynolds
: 6' 6"; Junior
: G/F

#0 Dashia Jackson
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: G

#11 Dionna Long
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: G

#20 Shakarri Mack
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#4 Devin Smith
: 6' 1"; Junior
: Guard

#11 Letrell West
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: G

#12 Donnell Frayer, Jr.
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G

#33 Russell Robinson, Jr.
: 6' 6"; Senior
: G/F