BALTIMORE, MD - The Claflin Lady Panthers' (17-9) 2025-26 season ended when the team took a 67-32 loss to the Winston-Salem State Rams (25-3) in the semifinal round of the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Basketball Championship Tournament, Friday afternoon. Playing against one of the top teams in the nation, the Lady Panthers put up a great effort, but the team could not get their offensive attack going against their nationally ranked opponents. 

Though the final outcome did not favor the Lady Panthers, the team's efforts showed up on the boxscore. The Lady Panthers held Winston-Salem State to just 26 field goals made while forcing 17 turnovers. Claflin senior guard Ariel Lucas led the way for the team with nine points in the game. Senior forward Ashari Lewis added seven points in the game. Junior forward Ryian Howard led the Lady Panthers' rebounding effort with five in the game. 

With the loss, the Lady Panthers finish the season with a 17-9 overall record, the team's most successful record in over a decade. The team also finished the season with a trip to the semifinal round of the CIAA Women's Basketball Championship Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons.

"We keep knocking at the door, but we have to find a way to get through it," said Claflin women's basketball head coach Terrence Jenkins. 

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.