ATLANTA, Ga. – The Panthers clashed in a battle of the mascots as the Lady Panthers of Claflin visited L. S. Epps Gymnasium. In a defensive showdown that only permitted 104 total points, Clark Atlanta prevailed with a physical style of defense and got to the FT line 34 times. Kiyanna Johnson, Naquaisha Rattray, Sydni Davis and Marissa Mandeldove put forth strong efforts to keep the game competitive after falling behind 30-19 in the first half but outscored the visitors 38-19 in the final 20 minutes.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Clark Atlanta 57, Claflin 47
Record: Clark Atlanta (9-15; 3-11 SIAC), Claflin (14-10; 9-5 SIAC),
Date: February 20, 2017 | Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: L. S. Epps Gymnasium | Atlanta, Ga.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter | Clark Atlanta opened the game letting up a 7-0 run. Lauren Turner rattled in two free throws to stop a Claflin run. A Dionna Marcus layup Claflin up 12-2. Kiyanna Johnson gets a nice feed from Sydni Davis to cut Claflin's lead to six points. The tandem
continues their hot shooting from the previous game, and close out the quarter on an 8-0 run to put Clark Atlanta behind 15-14.

Second Quarter | Marissa Mandeldove splits at the line early to tie the game at 15-15. Claflin's Jhanice Stokes answered with a layup that began a 13-0 run. Naquaisha Rattray ended the run with a mid-range jump shot with 1:15 to go in the half. Clark Atlanta was held scoreless for almost nine minutes. The Panthers went into the intermission trailing 30-19.

Third Quarter | Clark Atlanta opened the quarter giving up four points before quickly recovering with a 5-0 run. The defensive intensity rose as both squads were held scoreless for over two minutes. The drought was broken by Claflin, but finished by Clark Atlanta. Clark Atlanta exploded for a 9-0 run to take the lead 41-39. Rattray, Johnson, and Davis led the surge to help the Panthers get their first lead of the game. CAU outscored CU 22-11 during the quarter.

Fourth Quarter | Clark Atlanta's defense turned up the heat in the fourth. Claflin was held scoreless for nearly four minutes as Clark Atlanta outscored Claflin 38-19 in the second half. Rattray recorded a double-double on the evening with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Johnson and Davis continue their strong performances under different circumstances as they lead the Panthers to their ninth victory.

TEAM NUMBERS:
The Panthers shot 13-for-55 (23.6 percent) from the floor while going 3-for-16 (18.8 percent) from beyond the arc, and 28-for-34 (82.4 percent) from the FT line.
 
Clark Atlanta held the advantage in points off turnovers, 25-14, second chance scoring, 13-10, and fast break points, 6-4. CAU forced CU into 20 turnovers.

INDIVIDUAL NUMBERS:
The double-double for Rattray was her second of the season having also done so against Kentucky State on Jan. 7.
 
Johnson led all scorers with 15 points as CAU received double-digit points from Mandeldove (13), Davis (13) and Rattray (10).
 
Rattray led all players with a game-high 12 rebounds. Davis had the game-high with five steals and Mandeldove tied for the high with four assists.

UP NEXT:
Clark Atlanta returns home for senior night on Feb. 23th to play Miles College at 6 PM.