By: Rece Allen, Sports Producer 

The Clark Atlanta Panthers and Morehouse Maroon Tigers, two schools in a fierce rivalry, went head to head in Saturday’s basketball game in Epps Gymnasium. The Panthers’ defensive presence and the Maroon Tiger’s inability to convert on their open looks led to the team losing 70-62. 

The game exemplified a true rivalry from start to finish, with high intensity from the game and the crowd. Explosive plays from the Panthers caused the gym, filled with passionate CAU fans, to be a hostel environment for the Maroon Tigers. 

“It’s a rivalry game; it’s going to be like this every time, ” said Coach Whittler in the post-game interview with the Maroon Tiger. 

In the first half of the game, the Maroon Tigers seemed to struggle to find their shot, as they shot 8-36 from the field. The length of the Panthers’ players was a burden for the Maroon Tigers, as they blocked five shots in the first half and finished the game with a total of 10. 

“That was the most hostel environment we’ve played this season, but I think they’re ready now. I was a little concerned how well they would play in that, and they didn’t play well early, but as the game went on, those kids were big time for us,” said Coach Whittler about his standout freshmen players. 

The Maroon Tigers were down 37-23 at the half, and they responded by hitting more of their shots in the second half. The lead shrunk to as few as four in the second half with two minutes left as Cedric Taylor III, the freshman starting wing, hit all four of his three-pointers in the second half and was a significant catalyst to the team rallying back into the game. He finished with a team-high 17 points.

“I knew they would let us back into the game. I knew we had time if we defended without fouling and got rebounds. I continue to tell them, ‘The shots are going to come, they’re going to fall.’ But when we get to cut the lead to four or two and keep the pressure on the opponent, we have to make layups and free throws.”

The Panthers found success through their players making tough, contested shots. Andrew Stewart, a Panthers grad transfer from Morehouse, shot four for eight from the three-point line and finished with 14 points. According to Coach Whittler, his “big shots” seemed to keep the crowd in the game and led to their victory. 

The Maroon Tigers are now the two seed in the East division of the SIAC standings. Coach Whittler’s message to his team as they move on to their next game is to “stay focused… one game at a time.”

The Maroon Tiger’s next game will be against the Fort Valley State Wildcats at Forbes Arena on Monday at 7 pm.

Edited By: Kobe Scales, Sports Editor