Box Score

Clark Atlanta Clark 0-0,0-0 SIAC

Mercer Mercer 0-1,0-0 SoCon

Clark Atlanta Clark

0-0,0-0 SIAC

Final

Nov. 06, 2023

Mercer Mercer

0-1,0-0 SoCon

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Clark Atlanta Clark	31	40	71
Mercer Mercer	34	30	64

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 11/6/2023 11:12:00 PM | Justin Mordecai, Director of Athletic Communications

Clark Atlanta Upsets Division I Mercer in Final Exhibition Matchup

Panthers close out exhibition slate with a win over Mercer

Next Game:

University of West Florida

11/10/2023 | 8:00 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule

Nov. 10 (Fri) / 8:00 PM

University of West Florida

History

Recap
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MACON, Ga. – The Clark Atlanta men's basketball team spoiled Mercer University's season opener by downing the Bears 71-64 on Monday night inside Hawkins Arena. The Panthers shot 47 percent from the field on the way to the win in their final exhibition matchup.

Clark Atlanta opens the regular season on Friday, Nov. 10 against West Florida (8 p.m.) inside Epps Gymnasium as a part of the 2023 Tony Brown CAU Classic.

Xavier Griffith led the Panthers in scoring with 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line. Dez'Mond Perkins added 16 points of his own on 70 percent shooting from the field (7-10).

Mercer held an early 7-2 lead over Clark Atlanta before the Panthers used a 12-4 run to take a 14-11 lead at the 11:06 mark in the first half. Jalen Williams sunk a pair of free throws to extend Clark Atlanta's advantage to eight points (21-13) with eight minutes left to play in the half. The Bears were able to outscore the Panthers 21-10 down the stretch to head into intermission with a narrow 34-31 lead.

Chris Martin and Shemani Fuller combined for eight points in the opening minutes of the second half to push the Panthers to a 43-all tie with 13:50 left to play in regulation. Xavier Griffith drained a three-point jumper to cap off an 11-2 run for the Panthers, giving CAU a 54-45 lead midway through the second half.

Once CAU gained the lead with 10 minutes left to play Jalen Nesmith and Griffith combined for 12 of CAU's final 17 points to hold on to the lead and triumph over Mercer 71-64 on their home floor.

As a team, Clark Atlanta shot a game-high 47 percent from the floor in both halves and outrebounded Mercer 38-33. Despite a low three-point percentage in the first half, the Panthers shot 44 percent from beyond the arc in the second half.

Kharye Cayne took control on the boards as he pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for CAU.

With the win, Clark Atlanta will finish their exhibition slate with a 2-1 record.

UP NEXT

Clark Atlanta men's basketball opens the regular season on Friday (Nov. 10) as they host West Florida as a part of the 2023 Tony Brown CAU Classic inside Epps Gymnasium. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m.

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