Claflin Edge Winston-Salem 81-77 in Non-Conference Men’s Basketball Contest

Adolph "AJ" Caldwell scored a team-high 19 points in the win.
Courtesy: Claflin University Athletics

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina – Adolph Caldwell came off the bench to score 19 points and the Panthers hit nine free-throws down the stretch as Claflin University upended Winston-Salem State University 81-77 at the Tullis Arena.

The victory, Claflin's second in a row, move the Panthers season record to 5-7.

Karee Watson and De'shon Nails also scored in double-figures for the Panthers with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Watson also had a game-high 10 rebounds for Claflin.

Ryan McNeill-Moses, Austin Lawton and Triston Thompson contributed eight points each.

Winston-State, which dropped to 6-5, was led by Demone Harrison with a game-high 23 points and Terrell Leach with 21.

With 1:44 left in the game, Caldwell broke a 70-70 tie with a basket, putting Claflin ahead for good at 72-70. The Panthers sealed the win by connecting nine-of-14 from the charity stripe in final 1:12 minutes.

Winston-Salem pulled 79-77 with a second left, by Patrell Rogers was successful on a pair of free throws.

In the first half, the Panthers rallied from a seven-point deficit to start the game. Winston-Salem led 13-4 before Claflin erupted for a 17-8 run, tying the game at 20-20 on Ryan McNeill-Moses' basket with 10:29 left.

The contest would be tied twice over the next three minutes until a Brian Townsend's free throw at the 6:08 mark. The free throw gave the Panthers their first lead of the game at 26-25.

After five lead changes, Adolph Caldwell drilled a three-pointer with 3:27 left in the half, giving Claflin a 34-32 lead. The Panthers would maintain the advantage by outscoring the Rams 7-4 the rest of the half.

Claflin led 41-36 at the intermission.

Claflin returns to action Saturday, hosting Miles College in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) contest at the Tullis Arena The game will follow the women's matchup at 3:30 p.m. and will be Youth Day.

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