MORROW, Ga. — Clark Atlanta took another tough defeat against the Clayton State Lakers on Wednesday, Nov. 29, inside the Loch and Mason Barfield Court. Despite the rally in the second half and the 18-point performance from freshman
Atreonia Garner, it was not enough for the Lady Panthers as they fell 78-70.
The game started with a series of turnovers right after the tip-off as both teams battled each other with Clayton State scoring the first basket of the game. The Lakers ran the score up to seven points before the Panthers answered back with a jumper in the paint from
Trinity Jones. The Panthers hung in there offensively with help from Corianna Evans, but finished the quarter down 20-10.
Deyanna McKinney came back in the second quarter with a three-pointer assisted by
Myori Pruitt looking to spark some momentum for the Lady Panthers, but Clayton State continued to dominate the offense finishing the first half with a 42-25 advantage over Clark Atlanta.
The Panthers charged out the second half putting up 12 points the first three minutes of the game closing the score to 42-73. Clark Atlanta played defensively to continue to close the gap finishing the quarter down by two at 53-51. Garner continued to score in the paint, putting up eight points in the quarter, and was helped by an assist from
Kaia Barnett and
Ja'Kea Brunson with a fast break steal. Even with four points from Jones and a three from McKinney, shots just were not falling in the Panthers' favor in the fourth and the Lakers continued to extend their advantage.
Despite erasing a 17-point deficit, the Lady Panthers fell to the Lakers 78-70. The leading scorers for the Lady Panther were Garner (18), Jones (16), and Evans (11). Garner continues to lead the Lady Panthers in rebounds with eight boards on the night.
Denise Stine led Clark Atlanta in helpers with four assists.
As a team, Clark Atlanta shot 43.6 percent from field goal range, 38.5 percent from three, and 77.3% percent from the foul line.
The Lady Panthers will be on the road again as they take on Spring Hill College on Saturday, Dec. 2nd in Mobile, AL. at 2:00 p.m.
