Claflin Defeats LeMoyne-Owen in Opening Round of SIAC Women's Basketball Tournament

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Claflin University women's basketball team defeated LeMoyne-Owen, 71-65, in the opening round of the 2014 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic (SIAC) Tournament.  The tournament, which runs through Saturday, March 8, is being contested at the Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala.  Junior Uniqua Mitchell has been named to the 2014 SIAC All-Conference Team

Claflin (14-13) began the game very aggressive, jumping out to a 12-4 lead by the 13:30 mark.  LeMoyne-Owen (5-21) then picked up their offense intensity.  The Lady Magicians used a 15-8 run over the next four-plus minutes to cut the deficit to one, 20-19.  A three-pointer by LeMoyne-Owen's Laurien Williamson gave the Lady Magicians its first lead of the game, 20-22, with 7:50 remaining in the half.  LeMoyne-Owen pushed its lead to five, 20-25, at the 7:23 mark before the Lady Panthers offense came back to life.  Claflin used a 5-0 run over the next minute to tie the game at 25-25.  The Lady Panthers' regained the lead, 27-25, off a layup by Karahn Scott and pushed its lead to six, 32-26, before enjoying the four point half-time lead, 32-28.

Claflin maintained the momentum to start the second half pushing its lead to eight, 40-32, with 15:19 remaining in the contest.  After exchanging baskets over the next three-plus minutes, LeMoyne-Owen managed to pull within one, 44-43, off a three-pointer by Williamson at the 11:57 mark but the Lady Panthers remained poised.  Shakiema Ravenell hit a three-pointer just 28 seconds later to Claflin the four point lead, 47-43.  The Magicians then used a 9-4 run to take the one point lead, 52-51 at 7:36, but a three-pointer by the Lady Panthers' Uniqua Mitchell at the 7:08 mark put the Lady Panthers up for good.  Claflin enjoyed an eight point lead, 55-63, before going on to capture the six point victory, 71-65, to advance to the quarterfinal.

"It feels awesome to pick up this win it really means a lot, not only for these young ladies but for our university and our program," said first year head coach Deont'a McChester. "We are really trying to establish ourselves in the SIAC and the only way we are going to do that is to win tough games like this one."  McChester continued, "I want to also give credit to LeMoyne-Owen and the coach over there who is also in his first season.  He's doing a really good job with that program.  It was a tough battle from start to finish and I'm really proud of these ladies."

Uniqua Mitchell scored 15 points to lead Claflin.  Mitchell also contributed eight rebounds and four assist in the contest.  Karahn Scott recorded a double-double, 14 points-12 rebounds and Shakiema Ravenell dropped in 13 points with seven rebounds for the Lady Panthers in the win.

LeMoyne-Owen was led by Laurien Williams with a game-high 17 points.  Tenesha Wright and Maraja Johnson also recorded double-digit points with 12 and 10, respectively.

Claflin will face the #1 Seed in the East Albany State in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, March 5 at 1 p.m.

Box Score

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