Justin Longstreet's 3-pointer with 1:52 remaining in the second overtime proved to be the difference as Clark Atlanta defeated Central State 83-77 in the quarterfinal round of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament in Rock Hill, S.C. Thursday.

The Panthers (14-15, 12-7 SIAC) now advance to Friday's semifinal round to play against the West Division's top seed in Miles at 3:15 p.m.  The winner of that game advances to Saturday's championship.

Thursday, Clark Atlanta and Central State traded the lead much of the game until CSU's Darweshi Hunter hit a 3-pointer that capped a 7-1 run to put CSU up 66-59 with 3:13 remaining.    But CAU's defense clamped down, forcing three turnovers and giving up just one basket the rest of the way.  Offensively, Tyler Singleton nailed four free throws while Romaine
Thomas had two baskets, the second a layup with twelve seconds left that put the game into overtime at 68-68.

In the first overtime, Alex Dotson hit a free throw that put Central State up by three at 73-70 with 1:38 to play.  Shannon Smith countered with a 3-pointer to tie the game 20 seconds later.  With just under a minute left, Dotson hit a basket to put Central State back on top 75-73.

On the ensuing CAU possession, Singleton missed a 3-pointer, but Thomas grabbed the rebound with 37 seconds left.  Longstreet missed a shot, but the Panthers again grabbed the rebound and called a time out.  After the time out, Singleton missed a shot, but Thomas got the rebound and was fouled with 16 seconds left.   Thomas hit two free throws to tie the game at 75-75.   CSU then missed two close baskets with three seconds left and the game went into a second overtime.

In the final overtime, Thomas had a tip-in and Hunter hit a basket to keep the game tied at 77-77.  Neither team could score until Longstreet drained a 3-pointer in the corner in front of the CAU bench that put the Panthers up 80-77.  It turned out that was all CAU needed as Central State missed five straight shots and CAU extended the lead and sealed the win on free throws by Thomas and Smith.

Central State was 1-for-11 from the floor during that second overtime.

Singleton led CAU with 25 points, along with nine rebounds and three assists.  Thomas had a huge game with 21 points and 20 rebounds, along with four blocks. Longstreet had nine points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist. Smith and Elijah Stewart each had seven points while Javonte Sterling added six points and five rebounds.  Colin Bell had twelve rebounds.

Hunter, the SIAC's Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, led CSU with 26 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block.  Dreon Lewis added 21 points and 11 rebounds.

CAU now faces Miles (22-4, 16-3 SIAC), a team the Panthers defeated 69-64 Dec. 19 in L.S. Epps Gymnasium.

Admission to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center is $10 for a single game ticket, $50 for an All-Tournament pass, and $20 for tickets on championship day Saturday.  Admission is free of charge for SIAC students with a valid school ID.