Lady Lions find reasons for hope in loss

Four years ago, the Paine women had a plan that worked.

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RAINIER EHRHARDT/STAFF

Paine's Terria Davis (left) drives around Claflin's Donisha Albert (center) and Jontee Lindsey. Davis had 14 points in the defeat. Paine's Jasmine Faulkner (right) drives against Claflin's Candice Jones during Paine's four-point loss Monday night. The Lady Lions have yet to win a game at home this year.

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Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

Paine's Terria Davis drives against Claflin's Lashaundra Barron.

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Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

Paine's Jasmine Faulkner, right, drives against Claflin's Candice Jones.

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Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

Paine's Antionette McPhail, left, grabs a rebounds as Claflin's Donisha Albert defends during their game at Paine College.

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The Lady Lions knew that if they were going to qualify for the Division II Tournament for the second consecutive season, they'd have to win the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

Despite Monday night's 56-52 loss to Claflin, the Paine women continue to make strides in the final weeks of the season in preparation for the league tournament.

"Now, we're playing better as a team," said Shanee' Butler, the lone Lady Lion remaining from Paine's last Division II Tournament team. "We've just got to finish out a game. We've got to learn how to beat a team."

After losing six games in January by 16 or more points, the Lady Lions are finding improvement despite their 4-16 (3-14 league) record and 0-10 mark at home. Paine has won just one of its past four contests -- all three losses were by five or fewer points.

The Lady Lions found themselves with a chance to sweep their season series with Claflin. Paine led by four in the final two minutes. Then, Ashley Sorrell-Gibson swished a 3-pointer and followed with a pair of free throws as part of her game-high 21 points for Claflin.

Natoria Rowland drained one of two foul shots to tie the game at 52. But Sorrell-Gibson responded with two free throws with 12 seconds remaining.

Paine had a chance to tie the game in the waning moments. The team tried to execute a play called "Touchdown," where center Areyal LaDeatte cuts from the far side of the lane for a layup -- the same play the team used in its win over Augusta State in December. This time, Amelia Jones intercepted Butler's inbounds pass in the lane, and Claflin (5-15, 4-13) held on for the victory.

"We've got to start making better decisions," Butler said. "It all starts with me."

Terria Davis led the Lady Lions with 14 points.

Paine has five more opportunities to pick up a win, including two home contests later this week. Palmer said his team needs to work on its mental strength before the SIAC Tournament.

"There's no team in here that can physically overwhelm us," Paine's coach Terence Palmer said. "There's no UConns. There's no Stanfords. You've just got to be physically tougher. You've got to be smarter. It's not rocket science."