BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Clark Atlanta men's basketball claimed the fifth SIAC title in the 16th finals appearance with a 64-62 victory over Fort Valley State. Chuka Eneh was good on a 3-pointer in the final seconds for the win.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Clark Atlanta 64; Ft. Valley State 62    
Record: Clark Atlanta (21-11); Ft. valley State (12-18)    
Date: Mar. 4, 2017 | Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bill Harris Arena | Birmingham, Ala.
Previous Matchups: Clark Atlanta split the season series with Fort Valley State with each team winning the home game in the series. CAU won from L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Jan. 26; 77-69. The Panthers lost on the road in overtime on Feb. 9; 85-79.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Half | After Fort Valley State scored first on a dunk, Lawrance Triplett put CAU ahead with a 3-pointer with 17:14 remaining in the half. The first media timeout came with 15:45 on the clock and FVSU holding the 4-3 lead. Triplett converted the tip-in to break a 6-0 Wildcat run with CAU trailing by three; 8-5. Another 6-0 run extended the advantage for FVSU before the layup form Anthony Williams cut the deficit to seven points; 14-7. Tim Sanders followed with a 3-pointer on the first Panther possession out of the media timeout. Derek Harper went 2-for-2 from the FT line ahead of a Tajai Johnson 3 and a jumper from Sanders as CAU trailed with 5:23 left in the half; 23-17. Sanders and Johnson would again score on back-to-back trips down the court  to bring CAU within four points; 25-21. After a pair of FT from Damien Davis, Harper stole the pass and converted the layup on the fast break pulling CAU within two points; 27-25. Sanders connected on a 3-pointer with 2:46 remaining to give the Panthers the lead for the first time; 28-27.
 
The game went to the intermission tied; 29-29. Clark Atlanta shot 10-for-26 (38.5 percent) from the floor and went 5-for-7 from the FT line. The Panthers added four 3-pointers. CAU was outrebounded 28-17 while the Wildcats held the 22-10 advantage on scoring in the paint.
 
Second Half | Davis was good on the hook shot in the lane to start the second half scoring. Triplett added a jumper in the lane after a 6-0 run by FVSU. Sanders pulled CAU within two points after completing the traditional three-point play with a layup and FT with 13:59 left in the game; 40-38. Triplett was good on a jumper from the top of the key to tie the game at 40 apiece. The next Panther trip down the court had Davis go to the rim with aggression and convert the layup giving CAU the lead; 42-40. Triplett added a pair from the FT line after a technical foul was called against FVSU, giving the Panthers the lead by four; 46-42. FVSU fought back and with 8:57 remaining the game was again tied; 50-50.
 
Davis fouled out with 6:01 to play and Clark Atlanta trailing by two; 55-53. Williams would tie the game by going 2-for-2 shortly thereafter; 55-55. With 4:34 left to play Triplett committed his fifth foul sending FVSU to the line when the Wildcat shooter went 1-for-2. Chuka Eneh converted twice from the FT line to pull the Panthers within two points; 59-57. William tied the game, 59-59, by going 2-for-2 from the FT line for his eighth made FT in the game. Sanders tied the game with 1:22 to play by making 1-of-2 from the line; 60-60. A defensive stand saw Eneh grab the rebound and Williams pushed the ball up court before an FVSU foul was called. Williams went 1-for-2 and CAU led 61-60 with 43 seconds remaining.
 
A late jumper from FVSU had the Wildcats leading by one, 62-61, with less than 35 seconds remaining. With 17.5 seconds to play Williams found Eneh for a 3 from the corner giving CAU the lead with 18 seconds left; 64-62. A last second shot for FVSU was no good and Clark Atlanta was victorious.

TEAM NUMBERS:
Clark Atlanta shot 20-for-49 (40.8 percent) from the floor and went 19-for-29 (65.5 percent) from the FT line. The Panthers were good on just five 3-pointers in the game.
 
Clark Atlanta forced 18 turnovers.

INDIVIDUAL NUMBERS:
Sanders led the Panthers with 16 points joined by Triplett and Williams with 13 each.
 
Johnson had the team-high seven rebounds.

UP NEXT:
Clark Atlanta will head to Valdosta, Ga. for the NCAA South Regional this upcoming weekend.