JOHNSON CITY, TN - The Claflin Lady Panthers (0-1) faced a giant challenge to open the 2025-26 season when the took a 69-31 loss to the NCAA Division I East Tennessee State Buccaneers (1-3), Saturday afternoon. The Lady Panthers put on a solid defensive effort, holding their opponents to just 69 points, but the team could not get their offense in gear in the tough loss.
 
As a team, the Lady Panthers found points hard to come by in the loss. The team totaled 31 points and shot 21.2% (11-of-52) in the game. Claflin senior center Emaree Hinton led the way for the team with a career-high eight points for the Lady Panthers. Senior forward Ashari Lewis and sophomore Olivia Randolph both recorded six rebounds to lead the way for the Lady Panthers.
 
With the loss, the Lady Panthers fall to 0-1 to start the season. The Lady Panthers will return home, Tuesday, when they take on the Lynn Fighting Knights. For more information on Lady Panthers basketball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.