Clark Atlanta got a game-high 29 points from Romaine Thomas, but was outscored 11-2 over the final four minutes as they fell to Palm Beach Atlantic 81-72 Tuesday in L.S. Epps Gymnasium

In a close game throughout, the Panthers (0-2) had erased what had been an eight-point second-half deficit to Palm Beach (2-1) when Thomas hit a jumper with 4:16 remaining to tie the game at 70-70.

Forty seconds later, the Sailfish got a free throw and a 3-pointer from Gordon Alexander to go up four.  An Ian Roach steal led to a Justin Longstreet basket that shaved the deficit to two at 72-70 with 2:30 left in the game. 

After Malek Barber countered with a basket for PBA , the Panthers missed two shots and turned the ball over with just over a minute left.  PBA's Daniel Largey then hit a short jumper with 48 seconds left that put the Sailfish up 78-72 to put the game out of reach.

It came after a first half in with Clark Atlanta led much of the way, leading by as many as five points after a Thomas 3-pointer made it 22-17 midway through the half.  Jules Jasmin's jumper tied the game at 23-23 with 8:30 left before the half.  The lead then see-sawed for most of the rest of half, with Shannon Smith's jumper with 1:18 left gave CAU a 40-39 lead.  Largey then hit a 3-pointer and Jasmin added two free throws that gave Palm Beach Atlantic a 44-42 lead at halftime.

Thomas led Clark Atlanta with 29 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and an assist.  Traylen Warren had 15 points and four rebounds, while Roach had seven points and three assists and Tyler Singleton added seven points, seven assists and three rebounds.  Colin Bell added six rebounds along with three points.

Palm Beach Atlantic was led by Jules Jasmin who had 28 points and ten rebounds, while De'Ondre Jackson added 20 points, five rebounds and two assists.

The Panthers hit the road Thursday when they visit the University of Montevallo at 7 p.m. central time.  CAU then returns to L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Sunday, Nov. 17 when they host Xavier University of New Orleans at 4 p.m.