Box Score Rome, Ga.---Despite double-digit scoring from a trio of players led by newcomer Syndi Davis with 19 points, the Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers fell in their basketball season opening game 80-67 to Shorter University on the road Tuesday evening.
In a closely played first half that featured three ties and five lead changes, the Lady Panthers owned a seven-point advantage before Shorter captured a 27-26 half-time lead. Clark Atlanta shot 41 percent from the floor (12-of-29) in the period led by senior Denissea Law who carried CAU with 12 of her 17 total points.
To open the second period, Clark Atlanta's Mykala Jones found her range to pace the Lady Panthers with 10 points during a 21 to 11 run with 14:03 remaining that gave them a 47-38 lead, their largest of the game. Shorter answered with its own run and knotted the game at 58 at the 6:35 mark. Missed opportunities down the stretch proved to be costly for CAU as the Lady Hawks closed the game on a 22 to 9 run for the win.
Davis' 19 points topped the Lady Panthers while she also added six rebounds, three steals and a team-high seven assists. Jones finished with 15 points including a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. As a team, CAU shot 41 percent from the field and 78 percent at the line, and loss the battle on the boards 45 to 31. Shorter's Shaundricka Mann pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds while Ieisha Alexander led all players with 23 points.
Next, Clark Atlanta (0-1) will host its annual Lady Panthers Classic featuring Virginia State University, Elizabeth City State University and Miles College Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, at Epps Gymnasium. Games will played at 2 & 4 p.m., both days. Saturday's games will begin with Miles versus Virginia State in game one at 2 p.m., while CAU will tip-off against Elizabeth City in the 4 p.m., match-up. Admission each day for the Lady Panthers Classic is $5.
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