As day 4 of the CIAA event ends, the sector has shrunk considerably, and we are actually one spherical away from crowning convention champions.
Here’s a recap of all of the happenings on the 4 days of the event.
Girls
Claflin 71, Shaw 45; Recreation MVP: Claflin G Nya Morris
The Claflin Panthers made a press release of their event opener, blowing previous the Shaw Bears for a 61-41 victory.
Nya Morris set the tone for the Panthers, placing up 25 factors on 11-of-18 capturing, ten rebounds, three assists, and 4 steals.
Ashari Lewis scored 15 factors, whereas Leigha Harris had 13 factors, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
Alexis Radcliff was Shaw’s prime scorer with 13 factors on 5-of-8 capturing, whereas Elisha Quinn chipped in 11 factors c, connecting on three three-pointers.
From the opening whistle, this recreation was all Claflin getting out at a quick begin, constructing a double-digit lead within the opening quarter.
The @ClaflinPanthers are headed to the Semifinals!#AfroNews #CIAA #CIAATourney #CIAA2024 pic.twitter.com/Tq2ZKalC0x
— AFRO Information (@afronews) February 29, 2024
Morris practically outscored the Bears by herself within the opening quarter, placing up 11 factors.
The Panthers by no means let up executing at a excessive stage on the defensive finish, arising with 22 Shaw turnovers and changing them to twenty-eight factors.
Virginia State 51, Johnson C. Smith 42; Recreation MVP: Virginia State G Mihjae Hayes
Trailing getting into the fourth quarter, the Virginia State Trojans put collectively a monster run to eke out a 51-42 win over the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls.
Michael Hayes compiled 21 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Amesha Miller adopted with 14 factors and 7 rebounds.
Kels Carmon scored 13 factors for the Golden Bulls, whereas Ashlei Kirven recorded her second straight-double with 10 factors and 18 rebounds alone and steals.
After an in depth first half, through which Virginia State ended with a 28-23 lead, Johnson C. Smith turned the tables within the third quarter outs, coring the Trojans 20-6.
The fourth quarter, nonetheless, was the precise reverse, with the Trojans outscoring the Golden Bulls 22-4 for the win.
Virginia State’s potential to transform off Johnson C. Smith’s turnovers was the important thing to victory. They scored 30 factors off 28 Johnson C. Smith turnovers in comparison with the Golden Bulls, incomes simply 10 factors off 21 Trojan turnovers.
Males
Claflin 47, Virginia State 35; Recreation MVP: Claflin G Jailen Williams
Following their woman counterparts’ footsteps, the Claflin Panthers moved themselves one step nearer to the championship recreation following a win over the Virginia State Trojans.
Jailen Williams produced a game-high 23 factors for the Panthers, cashing in on 110 12 free throw makes an attempt. DaiJohn Stewart got here off the bench to place in 10 factors.
Kendall Bynum was Virginia State’s prime scorer with 19 factors on 6-of-9 capturing from the sector. Jonathan Norfleet put collectively 11 factors and 4 steals.
After trailing briefly within the recreation’s opening minutes, Claflin went on a 23-8 run that might give them the lead for the rest of the sport.
Nonetheless, the Trojans didn’t go down with out a combat, main again from a peak 14-point deficit within the second half to as little as three factors within the closing minute.
Virginia Union 61, Bluefield State 55; Recreation MVP: Virginia Union F Jonathan King
The Virginia Union Panthers, the ultimate crew to open up its CIAA event run, outlasted the scrappy Bluefield State Large Blue Winni, ng 61-55.
Jonathan King and Tahj Harding every scored 15 factors within the recreation, with the previous including seven rebounds and three steals to his totals. Jonathan Salazar contributed 12 factors and 9 rebounds.
Ja’Mere Redus scored 18 factors on 8-of-12 capturing for the Large Blue, whereas Travon Cooper posted 17 factors and 6 rebounds.
It was a tough capturing evening for Bluefield State star Jordan Hinds, who scored 13 factors on simply 4-of-4 of 15tshootingsugh, although he did report seven rebounds and two steals.
King and Harding shouldered the scoring load for the Panthers within the first half, combining for 22 of their crew’s 32 factors. They catalyzed a 22-11 begin within the first 10 minutes of the sport.
Bluefield State shortly recovered, happening a 13-4 run earlier than ultimately grabbing the lead.
Sadly, turnovers in inopportune occasions down the stretch spelled catastrophe for Bluefield State. Eight of their 12 turnovers got here within the second-half lead, resulting in 12 factors for Virginia Union.
