ATLANTA, Ga. – Clark Atlanta men’s basketball went to overtime for the sixth time this season and evened the record at 3-3 with the home win over Claflin.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Clark Atlanta 78 ; Claflin 74
Record: Clark Atlanta (16-8; 11-4 SIAC); Claflin (16-11; 10-5 SIAC)
Date: Feb. 20, 2017 | Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: L.S. Epps Gymnasium | Atlanta, Ga.
Previous Matchup: Clark Atlanta lost in their last matchup at Claflin on Feb. 4, 82-70.
Overtime Notes: CAU is now 3-3 in OT games; 2-2 versus SIAC opponents in such games.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Half | Damien Davis opened up the first half of the game for the Panthers with a layup as Lawrence Triplett followed him with a steal and Tajai Johnsoncoming in with another layup leaving Clark Atlanta within one point of Clafin, 5-4. Johnson and Anthony Williams added six points to give Clark Atlanta the first lead of the night; 10-9. After a 13-0 run, Claflin added two points before being stopped by Clark Atlanta’s defense; 19-11. With 9:10 remaining in the half, Chuka Enehmade the layup with the assist from Derek Harper. Johnson, Davis, and Triplett connected on layups as Tim Sanders added a 3-pointer; making the score 34-28. Claflin came within one point before Clark Atlanta ended the half on a 4-0 run to go into intermission leading by five; 40-35.
Clark Atlanta shot 15-for-28 (53.6 percent) from the floor in the first half while going 5-for-6 from the FT line. Clark Atlanta shot 5-for-13 from behind the arc while leading in rebounds (14-10) and steals (4-1).
Second Half | Davis opened the second half shooting 3-for-4 at the free throw line as Claflin closed the gap with a 5-point run leaving them within one point of the point of Clark Atlanta; 43-42. Triplett ended that run with a pair of layups within two minutes of each other helping the Panthers maintain their lead; 47-42. With 12:31 remaining, Williams turned the ball over followed by Triplett with a layup assisted by Harper and Clark Atlanta leading; 53-48. Harper quickly made a fast break to get a good layup followed by two good free throws to secure the Panthers lead; 57-50. After Claflin trimmed Clark Atlanta’s lead with a 5-0, Johnson shot 3-for-4 at the free throw line; 62-59. Claflin took their first lead of the night with 2:57 remaining as Clark Atlanta trails by one point; 63-62. Davis reclaims the lead for the Panthers with a layup and assistance from Triplett; 66-65. The final 42 seconds saw the score remain unchanged as the game heading to OT tied; 66-66.
Overtime | Davis opened up overtime shooting 2-for-2 at the free throw line followed by Triplett with a good shot from behind the arc, and Johnson with a layup giving Clark Atlanta a 5-0 run, securing their lead; 73-67. Claflin trimmed Clark Atlanta’s lead with a 3-0 run leaving them within two points after Sanders shot 2-for-3 at the free throw line as 1:06 remained; 76-72. Clark Atlanta finished overtime with Sanders and Williams shooting 1-for-2 at the free throw line and securing their victory; 78-74.
TEAM NUMBERS:
Clark Atlanta shot 25-for-53 (47.2 percent) from the floor, 22-for-29 (75.9 percent) from the FT line, and finished 6-for-20 from behind the arc.
CAU led the battle in rebounds, 32-28, points off turnovers, 17-13, and forced Claflin to 18 turnovers. CAU also held the advantage in second chance scoring, 11-10, and fast break scoring, 8-2.
INDIVIDUAL NUMBERS:
Davis led all players with 20 points as he shot 63.6 percent from the floor followed by Johnson (17), Triplett (14) and Williams (11).
Triplett and Davis had the team-high seven rebounds while Sanders had the team-high four assists along with Triplett having the game-high four steals.
UP NEXT:
Clark Atlanta will play the final home game of the season from L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Feb. 23 as the Panthers celebrate five seniors prior to playing Miles at 8:00 p.m.
