ATLANTA, Ga. - Clark Atlanta men's basketball trailed in the opening game of the L.S. Epps Memorial Basketball Challenge versus Shaw until Tim Sanders connected on a 3-pointer with 6:00 left in the game as the Panthers pulled away for the 81-68 victory.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Clark Atlanta 81; Shaw 68
Record: Clark Atlanta (6-4); Shaw (4-5)
Date: Dec. 17, 2016 | Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: L.S. Epps Gymnasium | Atlanta, Ga.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Half | Clark Atlanta trailed early as Shaw opened the game on a 9-0 run in the first 2:15 of the game. CAU got on the scoreboard on a 3-pointer from Tim Sanders with 17:33 remaining in the half. Shaw would run the lead to as many as 15 points, 20-5, utilizing a 11-3 run. The Panthers pulled within four points, 24-20, on the heel of a 9-0 run started with a layup from Lawrance Triplett and ending with a jumper from Micquel Roseman. Tajai Johnson added a layup and made a trio of FT attempts during the run. Clark Atlanta went to halftime trailing 41-29.
 
Second Half | The second half saw CAU fight to pull within five points as Anthony Williams completed the three-point-play with 9:45 remaining, 57-52. Shaw responded with a 3-pointer before the Panthers let loose on an 11-0 run that saw Sanders put CAU ahead with a 3-pointer. The run concluded as Derek Harper went 2-for-2 from the FT line putting CAU ahead 63-60 for the first, and only, lead of the game. Clark Atlanta scored 17 of the next 22 points to lead by 12 and ended the game as Sanders and Johnson each scored twice from the FT line.

TEAM NUMBERS:
Clark Atlanta shot 26-for-60 (43.3 percent) from the floor for the game, including 17-for-33 (51.5 percent) in the second half. CAU was 22-for-25 from the FT line as the Panthers forced two Bears to foul out of the game.
 
Clark Atlanta used a small lineup in the second half to push the pace of the game. Despite giving up a noticed size difference, the Panthers trailed by just five in total rebounds 38-33.
 
CAU held overall advantages in points off turnovers, 19-11, bench scoring, 17-12, and fast break scoring, 14-12.
 
The defense forced 18 Shaw turnovers while CAU committed just 12.

INDIVIDUAL NUMBERS:
Williams tied for the game-high with 18 points while Johnson (17), Sanders (15), and Triplett (14) all reached double-digit scoring. Williams went 7-7 from the FT line while Johnson went 9-for-11 from the line and 3-for-8 from 3-point range.
 
Triplett led the Panthers with 12 rebounds to post his second double-double of the season. Johnson just missed joining in with nine rebounds.
 
Johnson and Sanders led all players with four assists while Triplett had a game-high three steals.

UP NEXT:
CAU returns to the court in the L.S. Epps Memorial Basketball Challenge tomorrow, Dec. 18, at 4:00 p.m. versus Livingstone College.