Clark Atlanta led by seven points mid-way through the second half but couldn't hold off a late Morehouse run as the Maroon Tigers defeated CAU 67-62 Saturday at Morehouse's Forbes Arena.

The loss to their Atlanta University Center rival was the second straight defeat for the Panthers (7-11, 7-3 SIAC) after previously running off six straight wins.  Morehouse (9-9, 6-5 SIAC), who had previously lost four of their last five games, gets a crucial SIAC East Division win that keeps them in the division race.

But with Albany State - the leaders in the SIAC East race - losing at Fort Valley State Saturday, CAU is only a half game out of first place.  CAU heads to Albany State Monday night in a big divisional showdown and a chance to take over first place.

Saturday in front of a loud crowd, Morehouse jumped out fast, rolling to an 18-9 lead behind seven points by Robert Andrews in the first ten minutes and two 3-pointers by Julian Alexander during the same time span.

A CAU 14-6 run pulled the Panthers back into it after Romaine Thomas hit three free throws to make it 26-23 with 5:45 left before halftime.  The final three minutes of the half saw Thomas hit a 3-pointer and sink three more free throws, sending the game into halftime tied at 31-31.

A 12-3 CAU run early in the second half gave the Panthers their biggest lead – 47-38 – after Justin Longstreet nailed a 3-pointer with 12:55 remaining.   A 7-0 Morehouse run two minutes later pulled the Maroon Tigers to with two at 47-45.

Shannon Smith helped push the lead back to seven with a 3-pointer and a basket making it 54-47 with 8:50 left. But a 9-2 Morehouse run tied the game at 56-56 with 6:01 remaining.
CAU had their last lead after a Longstreet jumper made it 59-58 with 4:51 to go.  But the Panthers went nearly four minutes without another basket as Morehouse got 3-pointers from Xavier Brewer and Tremell Gooden to take the lead for good.

The win continues a streak where Clark Atlanta hasn't won at Morehouse since 2014.

Thomas led Clark Atlanta with 17 points, along with five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. Tyler Singleton had 11 points, six assists, five rebounds, while Longstreet finished with 11 points and two steals.  Smith finished with seven points, five rebounds and two steals.

Morehouse was led by Robert Andrews who had 16 points and nine rebounds.  Gooden added 12 points, while Michael Olmert finished with 11 points.

After Monday's game at Albany State, Clark Atlanta heads to Benedict on Saturday, Feb. 1.  The Panthers return to L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Monday, Feb. 3 when they host Paine College.