Orangeburg, SC (January 27, 2022) – Fayetteville State ended up on the better end of a late shootout in Claflin University's Tullis Arena with a 71-67 victory over the Panthers and an improved overall record of 12-6 and 7-1 in the CIAA.
Fayetteville State held the largest lead of the game in the first half (3:29) after
Jalen Seegars hit a fastbreak three-pointer for a 31-21 score. Seegars finished as the leading scorer with 18 points. He shot 6-10 from the field and made 4-7 from beyond the arc.
Zion Cousins followed with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots.
Claflin (3-15 overall, 2-7 CIAA) closed out the half with a 13-3 run to even the game (34-34) going into intermission.
Both teams exchanged leads midway through the second half along with multiple ties.
Cress Worthy (who netted 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) broke the final tie of the game (66-65) with a pair of free throws with 3:10 left in the game.
After a Panther turnover and steal by Worthy,
Koraan Clemonts nailed a three-pointer to give the Broncos a 69-65 lead.
Shyim Cunningham (11 points for the game) tried to keep Claflin in the game with a follow-up basket, but the Panthers immediately went cold with five missed field goals in the final two minutes of the game. Donell Frayer and Isaiah Jennings finished with 13 points each. Romero Hill also scored 11 points.
Fayetteville State will host Saint Augustine's University on Saturday in a spectator-less Capel Arena and Lincoln University on Monday.
