BALTIMORE. MD - The Claflin Panthers (17-11) staged a furious second half comeback, but some final minute miscues proved costly in a 58-52 loss to the Lincoln (Pa.) Lions (16-13). In a game that saw the Panthers trail, by as many as 17 points in the first half, the Panthers stormed back in the second half to tie the game and gave themselves a chance at the victory in the final minute.
 
The Panthers got off to a slow start, leading to a large halftime deficit, but it was in the second half that the team was truly able to show what they were capable of when they came back and tied the game in the final minutes and set the stage for a thrilling finale to the game. Claflin senior guard Jailen Williams completed the second half comeback when he hit a lay-up with 2:36 left to play. Unfortunately, the Panthers would not score again as five turnovers, two missed shots and a pair of missed free throws were all that the team could muster while allowing six unanswered points to the Lions in the loss.
 
As a team, the Panthers had one of their worst offensive games of the season. The Panthers, who average nearly 76 points per game were held to just 52 points and shot 27.1% (16-of-59) from the floor. Claflin junior forward John Whitehead, III, led the way for the Panthers with a double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds while senior guard Jailen Williams added 13 points.
 
With the loss, the Panthers finish the 2023-24 season with a 17-11 record, a tie for first place in the CIAA Southern Division, and their second trip to the CIAA semifinals in the last four seasons. 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.