Mia Lewis vs. Virginia State
56
Winner Claflin Claf 17-8,12-5 CIAA
42
Virginia St. VS 17-8,11-5 CIAA
Winner
Claflin Claf
17-8,12-5 CIAA
56
Final
42
Virginia St. VS
17-8,11-5 CIAA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Claflin Claf 14 13 12 17 56
Virginia St. VS 10 9 8 15 42

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Lady Panthers Dominate a 56-42 Win Over Virginia State to Advance to CIAA Semifinals

BALTIMORE, MD - The Claflin Lady Panthers (17-8) kept their season alive when the team took a 56-42 win over the Virginia State Trojans (17-8), Thursday afternoon in the 2026 CIAA Women's Basketball Championship Tournament. The team combined some great shooting along with some quality defense to key the win.

The Lady Panthers controlled the game from its very beginning. The team's first salvo came in the first half when the team went ahead by as many as 11 points, 21-10, after a lay-up from junior center Emaree Hinton with 6:15 left in the second quarter. From there, the team went on to take a 27-19 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

In the second half, the Lady Panthers' dominance only increased. Though the team allowed a Virginia State run that cut their lead down to just two points, 29-27, with 8:17 left in the third quarter, the Lady Panthers would not relent. The team went on a 12-point run and built their lead to as many as 14 points, 41-27, after a jumper from senior forward Ashari Lewis with 8:21 left in the fourth quarter. From there, the Lady Panthers would go fend off the Trojans final push and finished the game with the 56-42 victory. 

The Lady Panthers won the game with some terrific play at both ends of the court. The team shot 42.9% (18-of-42) from the floor while holding Virginia State to shooting just 33.3% (16-of-48). Claflin redshirt-sophomore guard Tyra Floyd led the way for the team with 16 points, including hitting four three-pointers. Lewis added 14 points. Claflin sophomore center Olivia Randolph led the Lady Panthers' rebounding efforts with seven rebounds and two blocked shots. 

with the win, the Lady Panthers improve to 17-8. The team will advance to the semifinal round of the 2026 CIAA Women's Basketball Championship Tournament. The team will take on the Winston-Salem State Rams in a 12:00 p.m. game on Friday at CFG Bank Arena. 

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. 
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