TAMPA, FLA - The Claflin Panthers (3-3) finished the Tampa Thanksgiving Tournament with a 103-72 loss to the host Tampa Spartans (4-2). The Panthers put up a solid effort, but the team could not find an answer for Tampa's offense in the loss.
 
As a team, Claflin put up their trademark balanced offensive attack with three players reaching double-digit scoring in the game. Claflin junior guard Ramere Draper led the way with 20 points in the game. He went six-for-10 from the floor, including hitting a three-pointer. Junior guard Braylon Jackson added 15 points with seven rebounds while sophomore Justin Mims added 10 points with five rebounds. Junior center Lyonel Hodges added a great game, nearly pulling off a triple double with eight points, nine rebounds, and six blocked shots in the game.
 
With the loss, the Panthers fall to 3-3. The team will return home for their next action when they host the UNC Pembroke Braves, Wednesday. 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.