Clark Atlanta's upset bid of Benedict fell just short Saturday as the Lady Panthers were defeated 65-62 by the Tigers at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.

Playing tough all day, Clark Atlanta (4-13, 4-5 SIAC) was down 61-59 with 2:31 remaining after Reagan Jackson hit a jumper.  Benedict (14-6, 8-2 SIAC) wasn't able to connect on their next trip down the floor as Ayanna Armistead missed a 3-pointer.  Ay'Anna Bey grabbed the rebound and was fouled by CAU's Kaia Barnett.  But with 1:46 remaining, Bey missed both of her free throws, giving CAU the ball and a chance to tie or go ahead.

Alexis Mann missed a jumper, but CAU got the rebound with 1:27 left. A Jackson turnover gave the ball back to Benedict, who then turned the ball over themselves on a Jackson steal, giving CAU another opportunity to tie or go ahead.

Jackson couldn't connect on a jump shot, but Benedict missed two more free throws, giving the ball back to CAU with the deficit still 61-59.  Benedict's Wykira Kelly-Johnson stole the ball from CAU's Denise Stine with 1:12 left.  Benedict milked the clock down to 40 seconds on their possession but turned the ball over again.  Jackson then missed a 3-pointer that would have given CAU the lead with 35 seconds remaining.

Armstead was fouled and hit two free throws with 11 seconds left to put Benedict up 63-59. After a timeout, Jackson hit a 3-pointer to pull CAU to within one at 63-62 with seven seconds left.  CAU immediately fouled Benedict to send them to the free throw line.  Keondra Archie hit her two free throws to put Benedict up by three with five seconds left.  A last ditch 3-pointer by Jackson was unsuccessful, giving Benedict the win.

The game was even throughout with both teams taking the leads twelve times each. Both teams combined for 52 turnovers.  The Lady Panthers held Benedict to only 33.8 percent shooting for the game.  Benedict also missed 11 of their 26 free throws and was four-of-27 on 3-point attempts.

Clark Atlanta was led by Jackson's 26 points.  She also grabbed five rebounds and made four steals, but turned the ball over a game-high ten times.  Corriana Evans finished with ten points and seven rebounds, while Brianna Pope added ten rebounds.  Stine had seven points, four rebounds and five assists.

Johnson and Bey both had 16 points for Benedict, who has beating CAU in each of the last five meetings. Benedict had won their previous two games by defeating two nationally ranked opponents, No. 22 Savannah State and No. 18 Valdosta State.  Benedict is in second in the SIAC East Division, a game behind Savannah State.  CAU is in fourth. 

Clark Atlanta is back on the floor Monday when they host Allen University at 6 p.m.