In a close, back-and-forth contest, the Clark Atlanta University Panthers came up just short against Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Tuskegee, 68-65 on the road Saturday.

In a second half where the most either team would lead by was five points, the Panthers (1-9, 1-1 SIAC) were up by three points – 65-62 – after Romaine Thomas hit two free throws with 3:51 remaining.   That lead held for just over two minutes when Tuskegee's Myles Thomas was fouled by Tyler Singleton left in the game.  Thomas hit two free throws to pull Tuskegee to within one at 65-64.

After Thomas missed a three, Tuskegee (5-5, 2-1 SIAC) got the rebound and then, after a timeout, a dunk by James Eads to take the lead at 66-65 with 47 seconds left.   The Panthers missed their final three shots while Tuskegee was able to salt away the win on two free throws by Thomas.

Justin Longstreet led CAU with 19 points.  Singleton finished with 14 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals.  Thomas had 11 points, seven rebounds, two blocks along with a steal and an assist. Colin Bell had a team-high nine rebounds to go with his eight points.

Thomas led Tuskegee with 21 points.