The Clark Atlanta University Panthers couldn't overcome an early deficit as they lost for the first time in more than a month, falling to Savannah State 72-59 Monday in L.S. Epps Gymnasium.

The Panthers (7-10, 7-2 SIAC) still remain in first place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division, just percentage points ahead of Albany State.  Savannah State improves to 3-8 overall, 3-5 in the SIAC.   But CAU's six-game winning streak, which dated back to mid-December, came to an end.

Monday, Savannah State streaked out to a 22-point lead, capped by Avery Joyner's layup which made it 25-3 nine minutes into the game.  The Panthers were just 1-for-12 during that span, their only basket coming from Tyler Singleton early in the game.

CAU cut that lead to ten over the next eight minutes by outscoring Savannah State 16-4 to pull to 29-19.  Savannah State was able to hold a 14-point lead at the half.   CAU only hit 29 percent of their shots in the half and turned the ball over ten times.

The Panthers mounted a late comeback in the second half, getting within five after Elijah Stewart's jumper made it 61-56 with 5:27 remaining.  But that was close as CAU would get as the Panthers only had one more basket the rest of the game.

Stewart led Clark Atlanta with 17 points, while Javonte Sterling added 14 points. Sterling also had eight rebounds.  Romaine Thomas finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and an assist. Tyler Singleton had seven points, four rebounds and three steals.

Savannah State was led by Joyner's 17 points, while Adrian Bonds had 14 points while Trey Deloach added 13 points.

The Panthers are back on the floor Saturday afternoon when they visit Atlanta University Center rival Morehouse at 3 p.m.