Box Score Atlanta, Ga. --- The Clark Atlanta University Panthers dropped a thriller, 81-71, to Atlanta University Center (AUC) rival Morehouse College in front of a sold out crowd in Epps Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. Joseph Hughes had a team and game-high 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Panthers, with Javarius Gray scoring 17 for the Maroon Tigers.

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) foes battled back and forth for the entire first half, with Morehouse able to gain the upper hand right before half to open up a nine point lead at the break. A 15-to-6 run over the first four minutes of the second half for the Panthers put them right back in the mix of things, and set the tone for the battle that would ensue the rest of the way. Over the next 10-minutes of the game, neither team would lead by more than four points, as they traded baskets and defensive stops. However, over the final four minutes, Morehouse would begin to pull away with the game as the CAU shots would not fall.

The biggest difference in the contest was the ability to make baskets, as Morehouse shot 46.7% (28-of-60) from the field, while the Panthers were only able to manage 36.2% (25-of-69). Morehouse was also able to knock down 30.4% (7-23) of their three-point attempts in route to the victory.

The Panthers (3-15, 2-9 SIAC) return to action Monday as they travel to Albany, Georgia to take on the Albany State University Golden Rams. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM. CAU will return home on Thursday, February 5th, as they take on Fort Valley State University in Epps Gymnasium, with tip-off slated for 8 PM.

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