Romaine Thomas scored 26 points in 27 minutes as Clark Atlanta won their second consecutive game, defeating Paine 72-52 Saturday in Augusta, Ga.

The win for Clark Atlanta (9-13, 9-5 SIAC) has them roughly a game and a half behind SIAC East-leading Albany State a full game ahead of third-place Morehouse.  CAU hosts Morehouse next Saturday, Feb. 15 and then hosts Albany State on Monday, Feb. 17.

Saturday, Clark Atlanta only trailed twice, both times in the first half.  The final time was when Paine got a layup and a free throw from Bryce Latimer to make the score 15-14 with 5:35 remaining before halftime.  But Tyler Singleton hit a 3-pointer that put the Panthers up 17-16 and gave them the lead for good. CAU ended up leading 27-19 at halftime.

That lead grew to fourteen after Maximo Guillermo's free throw made it 37-23.   The lead was as much as 23 points as Clark Atlanta kept control the rest of the way.

CAU held Paine to just seven baskets and 19 points in the first half. The Panthers were also 22-of-27 at the free throw line, while Paine only hit eight free throws.

Fourteen of Thomas' team-leading 26 points came at the free throw line.  He also had 12 rebounds for his tenth double-double game of the season. Thomas also had his season-high in blocked shots with five.

Singleton added 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists.  Singleton has scored in double figures in 19 of the 22 games CAU has played this season. 

Shannon Smith finished with seven points, while Andrew Stewart added six. Colin Bell had six rebounds along with three points.

Paine was led by Latimer's 15 points.

Clark Atlanta is back home at L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Monday, Feb. 10 when they host Benedict at 8 p.m.