Jalen Mitchell scored 27 points while Shelvick Henry added 22 as the Clark Atlanta University Panthers won their third straight game, defeating Central State on the road 78-71 Saturday.

Clark Atlanta (4-6, 1-2 SIAC) led most of the first half, only surrendering the lead when Dorian Crutcher's free throw gave Central State (1-9, 0-5 SIAC) a 14-13 lead midway through the half.   But four minutes later, CAU had taken over the lead and gone up by ten after Henry's dunk made it 28-18 with 6:19 left before halftime.  That lead climbed to as many as 13 before Central State whittled it down to five – 40-35 – at the break.

But it was a good shooting half for the Panthers as they hit 48 percent of their shots, including seven 3-pointers while at the same time holding Central State to 27 percent shooting in the half.

Central State turned up the offense a bit in the second half, going ahead 46-45 after Crutcher's dunk with 16:36 remaining.  But over the next ten minutes, the CAU offense took over, with Mitchell scoring ten of his 19 second-half points during that span and Henry adding nine as CAU went up 70-59 with 6:42 left.

Central State made a last-ditch run, pulling to within three at 74-71 with 1:36 left, but the Panthers won the free throw battle in the end as Mitchell hit four free throws over last 27 seconds to secure the CAU victory. 

Mitchell finished 10-of-15 from the floor, with three 3-pointers, along with grabbing three rebounds and an assist.  Henry hit five three pointers on his way to his 22 points, while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing five assists. Romaine Thomas had 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Austin Donaldson had ten points, five rebounds and three assists.

Crutcher led Central State with 14 points, while Michael Reeves had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Dwight Richards Jr. added 13 points and nine boards.

The Panthers continue their two-game road trip Monday at 5 p.m. when they visit Kentucky State in Lexington, Ky.  The Panthers return to L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Monday, Dec. 31 when they host Spring Hill at 3 p.m.