Photo by: Kollin Washington, Photo Editor

By: Kobe Scales, Co-Sports Producer 

In the first of a two-game series between Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, the AUC Rivalry did not disappoint. The Clark Atlanta University Panthers would eventually win an overtime thriller by a score of 73-66. This win secured the Panthers’ fifth win of the season and puts them ahead of Morehouse by one game in the SIAC East Division.

The two-game battle of the AUC kicked off in Forbes Arena, bringing in a crowd unlike any other this season. 

“We have to focus on turnovers and making free throws and we’ll be fine.” head coach Douglass Whittler said post-game. 

Missed free throws and costly turnovers were the stories for Morehouse tonight, as it has been all season. Shooting 18 for 30 from the free-throw line and adding 12 turnovers hurt the Maroon Tigers. 

After struggling early, Williams found life down the stretch scoring the last five points for his team to force overtime. Williams would finish the game with 11 points and 6 rebounds.

“I struggled a little throughout the game, but I work on those shots all the time, effortlessly,” said Williams.

The Panthers’ Justin Longstreet and Jalen Williams were able to command the offense and score at will. Longstreet would finish with 23 points, while Williams finished with 16. 

Longstreet was the closer for the Panthers hitting two major three-pointers, one to tie the game at 66 and another to take the lead with under a minute to play in overtime.

After the Longstreet three, the Panthers would play stifling defense to contain a Tiger team who knew time was of the essence. With two quick fast breaks, the Panthers put the game away to hold bragging rights for now, in the AUC. 

The second game in the series will be played on Feb. 11, at Epps Gymnasium. With seven games in between, the Maroon Tigers hope to clean up turnovers and find their groove on the free-throw line, as well as get key players healthy such as Elijah Stewart, Andrew Stewart, and Chukwuebuka Nwafor were sidelined. 

Copy Edited by Miles Johnson, Kevin Williams, and Clifton Dutton