BALTIMORE, MD - The Claflin Lady Panthers (16-7) came back from their largest deficit of the season to claim a clutch 53-50 win over the Lincoln (Pa.) Lady Lions (2-25) in the opening game of the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Basketball Championship Tournament. In their toughest game of the season, the Lady Panthers overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to claim the win and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the conference championship tournament. The game turned out to be a story of two halves with the Lady Panthers struggling during the first half, but putting on a dominating second half performance. 

The Lady Panthers struggled in the start of the game. In the first half, the two teams combined for 13 points across two quarters, including scoring just five first quarter points. As a team, the Lady Panthers recorded just five field goals in the half and shot just 20% (five-of-25) from the floor in the first two quarters. The team answered the first half offensive struggles with a great defensive effort, keeping their deficit to just 14 points, 27-13 at halftime. 

The second half told an entirely different story with the Lady Panthers putting on a dominant effort. The team outscored their opponents 40-23, including holding Lincoln (Pa.) to just 10 third quarter points and 13 fourth quarter points. By the end of the third quarter, the Lady Panthers trailed by just four points, 33-37. The team tied the game when sophomore guard Mia Lewis hit a jumper that tied the game, 39-39 with just 7:21 left in the game. The Lady Panthers took their first lead on a lay-up from freshman guard Makailah Davis with 6:22 left to play. From there, the Lady Panthers went on to control the rest of the game, but the effort was not an easy one as Lincoln (Pa.) continued their relentless play. Though the Lady Panthers would go ahead by as many as six points in the final minutes of the game, the Lady Lions cut their deficit down to just two points after a three pointer with just two seconds left to play. However, the Lady Panthers would not let their victory slip away as a free throw from senior forward Ashari Lewis in the final seconds of play sealed the win. 

As a team, the Lady Panthers finished the game with some solid overall play. The team finished the game shooting a solid 40.4% (21-of-52) from the floor. The team was led by an inspiring effort from Lewis, who finished the game with 23 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and a block. 

With the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 16-7 overall. The team will advance to the quarterfinal round of the 2026 CIAA Women's Basketball Championship Tournament. The team will take on the second-seeded Virginia State Trojans on Thursday at noon. 

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.