The Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers weren't able to keep a strong first-half going as they lost to Edward Waters 79-55 in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday.

The Lady Panthers (5-15, 5-7 SIAC) have continued to battle during a season in which they started with 16 players, but because of a season full of injuries had only seven players Saturday.  But CAU started strong against Edward Waters (14-11).

Reagan Jackson's jumper with 4:56 left in the first quarter gave CAU their first lead at 12-11.  A hobbled Corriana Evans came on later in the quarter to hit basket that extended the CAU lead to 16-13 two minutes later.  Two EWU baskets followed before Brianna Pope answered to put CAU ahead 18-17.

The second quarter saw EWU open a six-point lead when Imani Dockery hit a basket to put them ahead 24-16 early in the quarter.  Kaia Barnett answered for CAU, hitting a jumper and two free throws to pull the Lady Panthers to within a basket at 24-22.  EWU finished the second quarter with a 17-1 run to take a 39-25 lead into the half.

Edward Waters started out fast in the second half, increasing the lead to 23 after a 3-pointer by Molly Ragle made it 48-25 with 7:29 left in the quarter.   It was a lead that the Tigers would maintain the rest of the way as they grabbed their fourteenth win to of the season.

Barnett led CAU with a career-high 17 points as she hit six-of-seven field goals and five-of-seven free throws.  She also had eight rebounds, a steal and an assist.  Evans finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, two steals and an assist. Jackson had ten points, three steals and three assists. Maegan Barkley added eight points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.  Pope finished with six points, two assists and a steal.

Edward Waters was led by La'Quanza Glover who had 16 points, 16 rebounds, six steals and six assists.  Ragle had 14 points while Lee'Sha Henry finished with 13 points and ten rebounds.

The Lady Panthers will quickly be back on the court, heading to Albany, Ga., Monday where they will take on Albany State (8-14, 7-6 SIAC) Monday at 6 p.m.