The Clark Atlanta University Panthers nearly erased a nine-point deficit in the final minute, but came up just short in falling to the University of Montavallo 68-65 Tuesday in Montevallo, Ala.
Clark Atlanta (0-3) trailed 65-56 with 58 seconds left in the game. But over the next 50 seconds,
Shelvick Henry hit two big 3-pointers and
Romaine Thomas added another to pull CAU to within one of Montevallo (2-1) with eight seconds left. Â
CAU immediately fouled, but Montevallo hit two free throws to go up by three. The Panthers had a chance to tie at the end, but Thomas' 3-pointer with time running out didn't go in.
It capped a game in which CAU jumped out to a nine-point advantage in the first half when
Jalen Mitchell's jumper made it 17-8 Clark Atlanta with midway through the half. Seven minutes later, Montevallo closed the deficit, taking the lead at 23-22 with just under six minutes left before the half. Montevallo went into the half with a 35-29 lead after a late push to end the first half.
In the second half, Montevallo quickly extended the lead, but Henry's 3-pointer, followed by
Craig Hall's jumper with 11:52 left capped a seven-minute run where CAU took the lead again at 42-41.Â
The game stayed close until Montevallo crept out to another nine-point advantage with 1:25 left, and then in the game's final minute.
Henry, who hit four 3-pointers, led CAU with 21 points, along with five rebounds and four assists. Thomas, who had three 3-pointers of his own, finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Mitchell added 15 points, five rebounds and two assists. Colin Bel had a team high eight rebounds along with four points. CAU outrebounded Montevallo 40-33.
Montevallo had five players in double figures, led by Wade Lowman and Micah Fuller, each finishing with 14 points.
Next up for the Panthers is a trip to New Orleans where then take on Xavier University of Louisiana Saturday at 1 p.m. Â Â The Panthers open the home portion of the season Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. when they host Alabama-Huntsville.
Â
