Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton talk to supporters in Market Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 21, 2008 (UPI Photo/Stephen Gross)

PHILADELPHIA, April 22 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton handily beat back rival Barack Obama in the pivotal primary election in Pennsylvania, according to projections.

In projecting Clinton the winner, CNN reported Tuesday that with 67 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton led Obama 54 percent to 46 percent. NBC News also gave the New York senator the victory over her colleague from Illinois.

"Some counted me out and said to drop out," Clinton told supporters in Philadelphia. "But the American people don't quit. And they deserve a president who doesn't quit, either."

She added, "Because of you, the tide is turning."

CNN reported that African-American voters in the Keystone State supported Obama 92 percent, compared to 8 percent for Clinton, according to exit polls.

Meanwhile, Clinton was widely supported by older voters, with 61 percent of those 65 years or older backing her.

Because neither candidate is likely to garner the necessary 2,025 pledged delegates to win the nomination before the party's convention in August and must rely on the support of superdelegates -- elected officials and party leaders -- to clinch the nomination.