Box Score In a tense, back-and-forth battle between two of the nation's top Division II basketball teams, as well as a game that decided first place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's East Division, Morehouse's Tyrius Walker hit two free throws in the third overtime to give No. 11 Morehouse a 97-96 win over the 16^th-ranked Clark Atlanta University Panthers.

Clark Atlanta, 20-3 overall, falls to 14-2 in the SIAC East in the battle of Atlanta University Center rivals, just a game behind Morehouse (21-1), who is now 15-1 in conference play.

"We had our chances tonight to win the basketball game," said Clark Atlanta Head Coach Darrell Walker.  "I'm not happy about losing the game. But I'm happy that my guys competed against a team ranked 11^th in the country and I know my team can compete against anybody in the country."

Morehouse jumped out fast, leading by 17 points twice in the first half. But a 26-10 run over the last eight minutes of the first half pulled the Panthers to within one, 36-35, after Shelvick Henry Jr.'s free throw with 56 seconds left before halftime.

Morehouse got the lead up to 11 again early in the second half, 55-44 after Duby Maduegbunam's 3-pointer with 14:11 remaining. CAU turned up the offense, and by the 3:03 mark, the game was tied 68-68 after Henry's lay-up.  Neither team could score again, leading to the first overtime.

The Panthers led most of the first overtime. Anthony Williams hit two free throws to put CAU up 80-78 with 13 seconds left.  But Michael Olmert tied the game with a layup with five seconds remaining, sending the game to a second overtime.

In the second extra period, Morehouse had a three-point lead – 88-85 – after Olmert hit a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left. Then Mark Burton Jr. connected on a 3-pointer of his own to send the game to the third overtime as the crowd erupted.

In the final overtime, CAU was up 95-93 after Jalen Mitchell's free throw with 1:09 remaining. Morehouse tied the game on Jordan Wallace's layup fifty seconds later. Both teams missed shots on their ensuing possessions.  Mitchell then hit a free throw that put CAU up 96-95 with 17 seconds left. But when they got the ball, Morehouse star guard Tyrius Walker drove to the bucket and was fouled by Mitchell with five seconds left.  Walker hit both free throws, the game winners for Morehouse.

Henry finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and a steal for CAU, while Akil Douglas also had 18 points and seven rebounds.  Douglas also had two steals and three assists. Damien Davis 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block, while Williams added 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jamal Pollydore had 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. Mitchell had 11 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Morehouse was led by Walker's 27 points.          

"We all know this was a pretty big basketball game," Walker said. "It determined who was going to be in first place and right now Morehouse is in first place.  And we are one game behind them and we have three or four more games apiece. And we'll see each other again."              

The Panthers are off until Saturday, Feb. 17 when they host Fort Valley State University at 4 p.m. in L.S. Epps Gymnasium.