Bluefield, WV – Bluefield State University women's basketball fell to Claflin University in a CIAA matchup 69-62. The Big Blue fall to 6-8 (0-4 CIAA) and the Panthers move to 7-5 (3-3 CIAA) on the year.
After the Big Blue scored the opening bucket, the Panthers responded with 13 consecutive points to take the lead. A layup from Angel Walker pulled the Big Blue within five with three minutes left in the first quarter. The Panthers extended their lead with a three to close out the quarter.
Three minutes into the second, a jumper from Caiyiah Smith pulled within four of the Panthers. The Panthers built a lead of 16 but a three from Zaynah Robinson with five seconds left on the clock cut the Panthers lead to 13 going into the half.
The Panthers extended their lead to 20, but an Azariah Binford three to close out the third sparked a 24-point quarter for the Big Blue. Facing a deficit of 16, the Big Blue scored seven unanswered points to cut the Panthers lead to single digits. The Panthers pushed their lead to 14 with 1:20 left to play. The Big Blue scored the final seven points but ran out of time, falling to Claflin 69-62.
Azahreya Drayton-Gill led the Big Blue with 14 points and four rebounds. Tianna Rhodes added 11 points and four rebounds.
Final: Bluefield State 62, Claflin 69
Up Next: Bluefield State vs. Johnson C. Smith Monday, January 6th at 3 p.m.
