ORANGEBURG, SC - The Claflin Lady Panthers (9-3, 5-1 CIAA) put up a great effort, but the team fell short in a 56-55 loss to the Virginia Union Panthers (8-4, 3-3 CIAA), Monday evening. The two teams played in a classic game that saw the home-standing Lady Panthers battle back from a fourth quarter deficit to fall just short in the tough loss.
 
 The loss came despite a solid game by Claflin. The team could not quite their get their offense going as they shot 34.6% (18-of-52) in the game. The team also committed an uncharacteristic 20 turnovers. Claflin senior forward Ashari Lewis led the effort with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists with two steals. Sophomore center Olivia Randolph continued to improve with another near double-double 10 points with eight rebounds and two blocked shots.
 
The Lady Panthers fell behind by as many as eight points with just under seven minutes to play. Claflin would close the gap and cut their deficit to down to one point with just 14 seconds left to play. It was a Lewis lay-up that capped the comeback and pulled the Lady Panthers ahead by one point, 55-54. Unfortunately, the Lady Panthers would allow a Virginia Union lay-up in the final seconds to seal the loss.
 
With the loss, the Lady Panthers fall to 9-3 overall and 5-1 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) play. The team will return to action, Saturday, when they open CIAA Southern Division play against the Livingstone Blue Bears. 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.