On Senior Day, Clark Atlanta's three seniors led a second half surge that allowed the Panthers to pull away for a big win over Benedict College Saturday, 83-63.

Clark Atlanta (12-11, 9-7 SIAC) shot 51 percent from the floor in the second half while only giving up nine field goals to Benedict (4-21, 3-13 SIAC) who lost their third in a row.

CAU jumped out to a 13-point lead early in the first half – 22-9 after two Ian Roach free throws.  But Benedict went on a 20-5 run over a nine-minute span that left them behind just two points – 29-27 – with 2:53 left before halftime.

Hot shooting by Clark Atlanta – led by Jalen Mitchell's 15-second half points, Shelvick Henry's 13 points, and 11 from Austin Donaldson – in the second half allowed the Panthers to take control of the game.   Mitchell had seven points during a short span early in the second half that allowed CAU to extend a four-point lead to ten, allowing them to coast from there as the lead grew to as many as 22 points.

Mitchell finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Donaldson had 20 points, six rebounds and three assists.  Henry finished with 17 points and four rebounds while Ian Roach added 16 points after hitting 4-of-6 3-pointers.

Benedict was led by Jalen Stegall's 17 points.

The Panthers will close out the home and regular season Monday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. when they host Paine College at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.