Romaine Thomas had 20 points for Clark Atlanta but the Panthers came up just short at the end, losing to the University of Montevallo 74-71 Wednesday at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.

Clark Atlanta (1-8, 1-0 SIAC) was looking to avenge an 84-76 loss to Montevallo (6-3, 2-0 Gulf South Conference) on Nov. 14.

While Montevallo was able to get out to an 8-point lead early in the first half, CAU went on a 12-3 run over four minutes midway through the first half, culminating with two Andrew Stewart free throws that gave the Panthers a 25-24 lead with 5:53 left before halftime.

Tyler Singleton's jumper with 26 seconds left before the break gave CAU a 38-37 halftime lead.

The game stayed tight in the second half, though Montevallo twice getting leads of five points.  Stewart's 3-pointer with 5:37 remaining tied the game at 62-62, but Montevallo was able to inch back in front by four three times over the next three minutes, the final time when Ivan Smith's layup gave the Falcons a 70-66 lead with 2:02 left.

A minute later, Thomas hit a 3-pointer from the right side of the arc, pulling CAU to one at 70-69.  Alek Mendenica countered with a layup that gave Montevallo at 72-69 advantage.

With 17 seconds left, Singleton then settled in on the right side for a 3-pointer, but was fouled by Smith.  With a chance to tie, Singleton hit the first two free throws, but the third bounced just off the rim, leaving CAU behind 72-71.   Montevallo got possession and sealed the win with two free throws.

Thomas finished with 20 points, two rebounds, a steal and a block.  Justin Longstreet finished with 12 points, ten of them in the first half.  Singleton had 11 points, a team-high five rebounds.

Wade Lowman led Montevallo with 24 points along with eight rebounds, while Cedric Jackson had a double-double – 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The Panthers are off until Saturday, Dec. 14 when they visit Tuskegee at 3 p.m. central time.  Two days later they visit Spring Hill in Mobile, Ala., for a 7:30 p.m. central game.  CAU returns to L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Thursday, Dec. 19 when they host Miles at 8 p.m.