Box Score Naomi Holloway scored 20 points as the Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers held off Benedict 64-61 on the road Saturday.

The Lady Panthers' win was their fifth in a row, their longest winning steak of the season after winning four straight games twice this season.  The win gives CAU a 12-2 mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, good for first place in the SIAC East Division.   CAU is 14-7 overall. 

CAU streaked out to a double-digit lead early, getting up by as many as 17 points after Lauren Turner's layup gave them a 34-17 lead with 5:29 left in the first half.

Benedict got the lead down to single-digits – 38-29 – at halftime and tied the game at 48-48 on Andresha Smith's free throw at the end of the third quarter.  

The two teams were tied 56-56 with 5:28 remaining. But Holloway's 3-pointer a minute later, and Marissa Mandeldove's steal and basket just over two minutes left in the game help the Lady Panthers hold off Benedict.

Holloway finished with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal for CAU. Mandeldove, the conference assists leader, again finished just short of a triple-double.  She had 11 assists, ten points, nine rebounds and two steals. Reyana Miller had 12 points, four assists and a rebound.  Turner had nine points while Courtney Hall finished with seven rebounds.

Benedict was led by Ay'Anna Bey who had 14 points and ten rebounds.

The Lady Panthers defense was up to the challenge to the taller Benedict squad.  They held the Lady Tigers to 32 percent shooting, only allowing them nine field goals in each half, and were only out-rebounded 49-37 after losing the rebounding battle 63-44 in their first matchup.

The Lady Panthers next face Claflin on the road Monday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.  They return to L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Wednesday, Feb. 14 when they host Miles College at 6 p.m.