WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Winston-Salem State men's basketball team fell to Claflin University 62-71 Thursday night inside the C.E. Gaines Center.

The Rams move to 16-6 (8-5 CIAA), while the Panthers improve to 18-4 (9-4 CIAA).

Samage Teel led the Rams with 16 points, while Jaylon Gibson finished with 16 points. Jaylen Alston finished with eight points and six rebounds, while Isaac Parsons finished with eight points and six assists.

The Rams and Panthers were trading buckets to start the game and the Rams led 5-7 after a Jaylon Gibson layup, but the Panthers answered, taking a 15-12 lead with 12:54 left to play in the half. With 2:40 to play in the half, the Panthers led 33-23 over the Rams. Jaylen Alston hit a mid-range jumper with 1:43 to play to bring the Rams within eight, 33-25. WSSU went into halftime trailing 36-25.

The Panthers opened the second half on a 5-4 scoring run. The Panthers went up 45-34 with 15:25 remaining in the game. KC Shaw hit a three to bring the Rams within eight, 45-37 with 14:35 left in the half. With 9:17 left to play the Rams went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to five 57-52. Claflin was able to stop the Ram's momentum and win the game 71-62. 

Winston will be back in action on Saturday, February 12th traveling to Fayetteville State at 4:00 p.m. in the Felton J. Capel Area.