Claflin Sends Miles to Another Defeat
Box Score ORANGEBURG, S.C. –
Maiscei Grier has had a phenomenal first season at Miles, leading the team in scoring and being the go-to guy for
Leon Douglas' troops.
But Grier and the rest of the Golden Bears could not get on track in the first half Saturday afternoon at Tullis Arena, falling into a big hole by halftime and ultimately dropping an 88-70 decision to Claflin in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
Grier dropped a game-high 27 points for Miles (1-7, 0-1) but scored just six in the first half. While the Golden Bears did not shoot particularly well (35 percent) and were dominated on the glass (23-12, including 11 offensive boards for the Panthers), it was their inability to protect the ball that helped Claflin (4-6, 1-0) take control. Miles turned it over 13 times in the opening 20 minutes, which led to 22 points for the Panthers and a 45-19 halftime advantage.
While Miles never threatened Claflin's lead in the second half, the team played with more confidence and aggression on both ends of the court. The Golden Bears scored 51 points on 47 percent shooting, outrebounded the Panthers and did a better job protecting the ball. Claflin, though, shot almost 30 free throws in the second half (20-for29) and never let Miles go on an extended run.
Patrick Jackson,
Albert Peterson and
Hasain Bunnell each scored 10 points while
Larry Butler had six points and a team-high nine rebounds for Miles, which is back in action on Dec. 5 when it continues its road trip in Augusta, Ga. against Paine. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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