ORANGEBURG — The Newberry College women’s basketball team dropped to Claflin University 65-64 on Wednesday night in Orangeburg.

Samantha Creed gave the Wolves the early lead from draining a 3-pointer 90 seconds into the game. The Panthers answered back quickly with a 3-pointer from NaBresha Hughes.

Meg Essex put the Wolves back on the board with a fast break layup at the 7:09 mark of the first quarter. Less than a minute later Jaya Schultz scored another layup followed by a basket from Essex at the 5:56 mark. Creed took the assist on both of Essex’s layups.

With 4:12 left in the first quarter Colleen Leung sank a 3-pointer for 14-8 lead for Newberry. Kirsten Dunsmore was fouled by Carnique Marks with 2:18 left. Dunsmore hit both free throws followed by a layup by Essex.

Going into the second quarter the Wolves lead, 18-14. Essex led the team in scoring with eight points. Just 51 seconds into the second quarter, Nicola Handreck hit a jumper for a 20-17 lead. With seven minutes left in the quarter Handreck went up for a layup and was fouled by Nabresha Hughes for a three point play.

Thirty seconds later Creed took a pass from Essex to knock a 3-pointer down for a 28-24 lead. Creed then made two free throws a minute later (5:22) to give the Wolves a five point lead (29-24). Samara Hill took the last shot for Newberry in the second quarter. Hill made a shot from the arch off a pass from Handreck with 2:53 left.

At the half, the Wolves led Claflin 38-35. Handreck and Creed led the Wolves in points with 10 each.

Hill was fouled by Shaniece Brown and hit both free throws 41 seconds into the quarter. Essex and Creed scored one layup each within 29 seconds of each other. Two minutes later Essex finished a pass down low from Creed to make the score 46-41 with five minutes left.

At the 4:00 mark of the third quarter Handreck hit a jumper from the top of the arch for a five point lead (48-43). Scoring was quiet for the next two minutes until Hill was fouled and hit both free throws.

Going into the final quarter the Wolves led Claflin 51-44. Essex hit the fast break layup dished by Creed two minutes in. Essex and Creed repeated the same play just one minute later. Essex finished yet another layup but the pass came from Handreck this time with 6:32 left in the game.

With 30 seconds left in the game the score was tied at 64-64. Jaquanna Davis hit one free throw with three seconds left to take the 65-64 lead for the Panthers. The Wolves were not able to take the win in the last three seconds.

For the game, Essex had 22 points, Handreck had 13, Creed had 12 and Hill had 10. Handreck dished seven assists while Creed dished six assists.

The Wolves are on the road once again at Armstrong State University on Nov. 21 for a 3 p.m. tip off. The home schedule begins with the South Atlantic Conference opener against Queens on Nov. 24.

This release was provided by Newberry College.