ORANGEBURG, SC- The Claflin Panthers (16-9, 13-4 CIAA) moved into first place in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Southern Division with a dramatic 71-69 win over the Fayetteville State Broncos (15-12, 10-7 CIAA), Wednesday evening. After battling to a 69-69 tie, Claflin junior guard Damerius Wash hit a lay-up with eight seconds left to play to seal the win.
 
The win came after a terrific overall performance by the Panthers. Three Claflin players reached double-digit scoring in the game with senior guard DaiJohn Stewart leading the way with 17 points and a blocked shot in the game. Fellow senior forward Timothy McElroy added 12 points with eight rebounds while senior guard Bryson Dennis scored 10 points with four rebounds. Junior forward John Whitehead, III, added a near double-double with seven points and seven rebounds.
 
With the win, the Panthers improve to 16-9 overall and 13-4 in CIAA play. More importantly, the team improved to 8-3 in CIAA Southern Division play to take first place in the division. The team will have a chance to clinch the division title on Saturday with a win at Johnson C. Smith.
 
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.