Claflin Basketball Tops Kentucky State in SIAC Contest

Orangeburg, S.C. (Claflin) — Ryan McNeill-Moses fired in a career-high 35 points with 10 rebounds as the Claflin University Panthers knocked off Kentucky State University, 97-86, in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) men’s basketball game at the Tullis Arena.

The victory evened Claflin season record to 3-3 and 1-1 in conference play.

It was McNeill-Moses spearheading a 27-10 run midway the second half. The run broke a 62-62 tie and put the Panthers safely ahead at 89-72 with 4:33 left.

McNeill-Moses finished the game hitting 14-of-19 shots from the field and three assists

Claflin also added four three-pointers during the surge and finished the game with six.

The contest, which was Claflin largest offensive output this season, saw three other players hit double-digits.

Albert “Trey” Miller came off the bench to score 14 points that included three three-pointers.

Triston Thompson and Timothy Christian, II added 10 points each.  Tyler Thompson added eight points and eight rebounds off the bench.

The Panthers also posted a team best 10 blocked shots, three each from Austin Lawton and McNeill-Moses.

With Claflin up 18-17 at the 12:22 mark, McNeill-Moses coveted a key three-point play, extending the Panthers lead to 23-17 with 11:57 showing on the clock.

Claflin pushed its lead to a 29-22 advantages at the 10:17 remaining.

Kentucky State pulled to within one, 45-44, over the next eight minutes by outscoring the Panthers 22-16.

McNeill-Moses kept the Panthers ahead in the closing minutes of the half by scoring six of the last 11 points. Claflin led 51-49 at intermission.

Claflin will closeout its five-game home stand Saturday, facing Lane College in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic conference match. The contest is slated for 3:30 p.m.