RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 20) – Tyre Gathright (Jr./Wilmington, NC) scored 16 points for Saint Augustine's University, but Claflin University pulled away late for a 69-54 men's basketball win over the Falcons at Emery Gymnasium Monday.

Gathright scored eight points in the second half including a jumper to tie the score at 39-39 before the Panthers broke the game open. A 30-15 run in the final 13 minutes ended the Falcons' chances of winning their home opener.

A 6-foot-4 wing player, Gathright was the main offensive threat for the Falcons, who shot 41.1 percent including 33.3 percent (6 of 18) behind the three-point line. He connected on 7 of 11 shots including 2 of 6 behind the arc. D.J. Harrison (Jr./Winston-Salem, NC) added eight points and Quinton Morrow (Jr./Burlington, NC) scored seven points.

Standout forward Quincy January (Sr./Atlanta, GA), who missed the last two games due to injury, had six points and three rebounds. He entered the game with eight straight double-doubles in points and rebounds dating back to last season.

Jaleel Charles scored 14 points and Jordan Jones added 12 points for the Panthers (3-1 overall), who shot 47.3 percent including 58.8 percent (10 of 17) behind the three-point arc. Benjamin Williams contributed 10 points as the Panthers won the rebounding battle 42-26 and outscored the Falcons 30-16 in the paint.

Gathright scored eight points and Harrison chipped in six points in the first half for the Falcons, who trailed 20-10 but rallied to get within 26-25 at halftime. January added four points in the opening 20 minutes.

The Falcons (0-5 overall) will look to regroup in the VUU Thanksgiving Classic in Richmond, Va., this weekend. They play Virginia Union University on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 5 p.m. and Elizabeth City State University on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. The games will not count in the CIAA standings.