RALEIGH, NC - The Claflin Panthers (14-3, 6-3 CIAA) had to dig deep to pull out a hard-fought 56-51 win over the Saint Augustine's Falcons (5-12, 6-3 CIAA), Saturday afternoon. The Panthers took control of the game early, but the team had to fend off a Falcons team that would not back down.
 
The Panthers combined some solid offense with some tough defense to claim the win. As a team, the Panthers shot a solid 44.4% (29-of-45) from the floor while forcing the Falcons to shoot just 36.5% (19-of-52) from their home floor. Claflin senior guard Allen Hatchett led the way for the Panthers' balanced attack with 10 points and five rebounds in the game. Junior guard Chase Lane came off the bench for seven points as well.
 
With the win, the Panthers improve to 14-3 overall and 6-3 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return to action, Thursday, when the team heads to Fayetteville, North Carolina to take on the reigning CIAA champion Fayetteville State Broncos. For more information on Panthers basketball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.