BALTIMORE, MD - The Claflin Panthers (15-11) suffered heartbreak when the team took a 70-68 loss to the Bluefield State Big Blue (15-14) in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, Thursday afternoon. The Panthers controlled nearly the entire game, but things fell apart in the finals minutes and ended the day with the Claflin loss. 

The Panthers controlled the entire first half of play and went ahead by as many as 12 points, 44-32 after a three-pointer from senior guard Cristian Sanon with 15:42 left in the game. The Panthers held on to their lead late in the game and did not let go of their lead until the final minute of the game when a Bluefield State jumper left the Panthers trailing, 66-67. After falling behind by as many as three points, Claflin sophomore forward Alex Atkinson cut the team's deficit to just one point, 68-69 with 12 seconds left. The Panthers would go on to allow another Bluefield State free throw to fall behind68-70-68. The Panthers would have a chance to tie the game, but a missed one-and-one free throw opportunity sealed the loss for the team. 

The Panthers controlled nearly every aspect of the game. The Panthers took the loss in spite of shooting an impressive 51.9% (27-of-52) from the floor and holding Bluefield State to shooting just 39.7% (27-of-68). The Panthers also recorded four blocks and four steals in the game. Claflin utilized its trademark balanced offensive attack with three players in double-digit scoring. Sophomore forward Alex Atkinson led the way with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots in the game. Senior guard Cristan Sanon added 14 points while junior guard Ramere Draper added 12 points. 

With the loss, the Panthers end the 2025-26 season with a 15-11 overall record. For more information on Panthers basketball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletic.sclaflin.edu.