LaKashia Hill had eight fourth-quarter points, including two big baskets that tied the game and then gave Clark Atlanta a late lead, as CAU defeated Montevallo 65-59 Saturday at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.

The Lady Panthers (6-12, 4-5 SIAC), who fell to Montevallo (14-4, 8-2 Gulf South Conference) 83-64 in the season opener in November, had never beaten the Falcons in two previous tries. Montevallo was ranked fifth in the D2SIDA Division II Women's Basketball South Region rankings this week.

Saturday, the Lady Panthers kept things close throughout.  They shaved an early nine-point Montevallo lead down to one on Reyana Miller's 3-pointer with 4:32 left before halftime, making it 27-26.  Montevallo countered with a 6-0 run and ended up leading 36-30 at halftime.

Montevallo got the lead up to eight points after Shyan Flack hit a jumper to make it 44-36 with 2:11 left in the third quarter.  But Clark Atlanta continued to fight back.  Nailah-Mawusi Mitchell and Naomi Holloway hit back-to-back 3-pointers that quickly pulled the Lady Panthers to within two points.

The game was still close midway through the fourth quarter when Autum Morings hit two free throws that gave the Lady Panthers a 49-48 lead. 

Two minutes later, Hill hit a basket that put CAU up 54-52 with 5:36 left.  Then she hit another one possession later that again gave them a lead, 56-54.  Montevallo tied it once more on an Aaliyah Rice jumper with 2:40 left.  But a minute later, Holloway hit a 3-pointer that put the Lady Panthers back up for good.  Three Reyana Miller free throws in the final minute put the game out of reach.

The Lady Panthers out-rebounded Montevallo 50-38 and outscored Montevallo 24-10 in the paint.  They also held the Falcons to just four 3-pointers and 32 percent shooting for the day.

Holloway finished with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Hill finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, four steals and four assists.  Morings also had nine rebounds, along with ten points. Miller had eight points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Jalisa Jones added eight points, four rebounds and two assists.  

Montevallo was led by Marisa Snodgrass who had 18 points, while Rice finished with 13. 

The Lady Panthers now head back into SIAC East play when they visit Albany State on Monday, Jan. 27.  They then head to South Carolina for a big game against East Division front-runner Benedict on Saturday, Feb. 1.  CAU returns to L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Monday, Feb. 3 when they host Paine College at 6 p.m.