INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The Glenville State Men's Basketball team suffered a season-opening loss to Claflin earlier today, falling 95-92 in the overtime thriller at West Virginia State University. The Pioneers shot 41% from the field and knocked down 14 threes in the defeat.
1st Half
It was a hot start for the Pioneers, as four-straight three pointers pushed GSU out to a 26-13 lead with over 11 minutes remaining in the opening half. Claflin started to chip into the Pioneer lead after the under 10-minute timeout before eventually taking a four-point lead going into the under five-minute media timeout. A
Don Colon-Lewis three tied things up and
Elijah Redfern gave GSU the lead with under two minutes but Claflin regained the advantage right before halftime, 44-43.
2nd Half
After going back-and-forth out of the locker room, it remained a one-point game with just over 12 minutes left in the second stanza. Claflin began pulling away after the under 10 media timeout, but
Bob Bolen's squad did not let the game get away. Down six in the final minute, the Pioneers were able to tie things up with five free throws from
Jalen Knott and a dunk from
Prince Mosengo to send things to overtime.
Overtime
GSU gained a four-point advantage in overtime, however, Claflin knotted it up at 87 all before a turnover by Glenville State led to a pair of free throws that put the Panthers in the lead. The Pioneers had a pair of looks to tie it up in the final seven seconds but couldn't get the three to fall as the blue and white dropped their season opener, 95-92.
Final Stats
Claflin
The Panthers had four players in double figures, led by Cristian Sanon's 21 points and five rebounds. Xavier Tubbs-Matthews added 18 points and Alex Atkinson flirted with a double-double at 10 points and eight boards. Matthews had a team-leading five assists and David Onyekonwu led the team in rebounds with 10.
Glenville State
Elijah Redfern led all scorers with 26 while shooting 5-for-9 from behind the arc.
Don Colon-Lewis shot 6-for-11 from three and had 25 points.
Prince Mosengo was a force down low, grabbing 18 rebounds and scoring 16 points. Central Missouri transfer
Jalen Knott added 15 points in the defeat.
Up Next For The Pioneers
Glenville State is back inside the Walker Convocation Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 15) to take on Livingstone.
