Corriana Evans had a huge game, scoring 30 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, as the Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers defeated Fort Valley State 76-67 in Fort Valley, Ga., Saturday.
Evans, a sophomore forward/guard in her first year with the Lady Panthers, had the CAU's second-highest point output this season, second to
Reagan Jackson's 33 points against West Georgia in November. Evans' previous high in points was 20 against both Lane and Central State. Her 17 rebounds, - Evans' fourth consecutive double-digit rebounding day – is a season-high for the Lady Panthers.
Clark Atlanta (4-10, 4-2 SIAC) saw a first half that was close until the Lady Panthers got some separation midway through the second quarter.
Kaia Barnett had tied the game with a basket with 5:01 left before halftime. Over the next nearly two minutes, Barnett then had two rebounds, two free throws and a basket, along with a Jackson layup, to lead CAU to a 30-24 lead.
Brianna Pope's jumper just before the half ended gave CAU a 38-31 lead going into the break.
But FVSU fought back, outscoring CAU 17-8 in the first half of the third quarter to take a 48-46 lead. They had a 54-53 lead with 1:14 left in the quarter when Evans hit two free throws and Pope again ended the quarter with basket to give CAU a 57-54 lead.
CAU then took control in the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to as many as 11 points to secure the win.
CAU won the battle of the boards, outrebounding FVSU 60-45, and forced 28 turnovers.
Besides Evans' 31 points, Jackson had 13 points, four rebounds, five steals and five assists. Pope had ten points and 12 points, while Maegan Barkely added eight points, four rebounds, three steals.
Barnett finished with six points and eight rebounds while
Denise Stine had six points, seven rebounds, and four steals.
Diamond Jones led FVSU with 24 points while Angel Williams added 19.
The Lady Panthers head back out on the road Monday when they visit Miles (9-2, 3-2 SIAC), a team they fell to 66-62 in early December. Wednesday they then visit LeMoyne-Owen (3-9).
