ORANGEBURG, SC - The Claflin Panthers (6-5, 3-1 CIAA) claimed their second straight win in a dominant fashion when the team took a 71-53 win over the Virginia Union Panthers (5-11, 0-5 CIAA), Tuesday evening. Claflin took control of the game early and never looked back when the team claimed the win.
 
The Panthers played some impressive offense despite some strong defense by Virginia Union. As a team, the Panthers shot 40.7% (22-of-54) from the field with eight three-pointers made. It was a typical balanced attack by Claflin that keyed the win. Panthers senior guard DaiJohn Stewart led the way with 16 points in the game. Junior forward Zion Obanla added a near double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Derrick Sinkler, Jr. added 11 points while junior guard John Whitehead, III added 10 points with six rebounds.
 
Claflin wasted little time in taking control of the game and never looked back. It took just under three minutes for the Panthers to take the lead and from there, Claflin went ahead by as many as 20 points, 40-20 in the final seconds of the first half before taking a 40-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Panthers continued to control the game as they went ahead by as many as 21 points, 61-40, after a tip-in from Stewart. From there, the Panthers cruised to the 71-53 victory.
 
With the win, the Panthers improve to 6-5 overall and 3-1 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. 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.