RICHMOND, VA – The Claflin (4-4, 1-0 CIAA) Panthers opened Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play with a hard-fought 79-76 win over the Virginia Union Panthers (4-5, 0-2 CIAA). After taking an eight-point lead in the second half, the Panthers fended off a furious late comeback from Virginia Union to seal the win. After a Virginia Union jumper with 00:04 left to play cut the Claflin lead down to just one point, 77-76,  senior forward Damerius Wash sealed the game with a dunk that capped the 79-76.
 
The Panthers took the win behind a solid overall game. Claflin senior forward John Whitehead, III, led the way for the Panthers with 23 points and three rebounds in the game. He shot a solid seven-for-12 shooting effort, including going seven-for-11 from the three-point line. Junior guard Cristian Sanon added 15 points. The duo were two of the five Panthers to reach double-digit scoring in the game. The effort included a double-double from junior center David Onyekwonwu who totaled 11 points with 12 rebounds.
 
With the win, the Panthers improve to 4-4 overall and open CIAA play with a 1-0 record. The Panthers will remain on the road to take on the Bowie State Bulldogs, Saturday.
 
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.