Marauders Edge Past Clark Atlanta in Thrilling Road Victory
Atlanta, GA — In a thrilling battle between two top teams in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), the Central State Marauders earned a crucial 66-64 road victory over Clark Atlanta University on Friday afternoon at L.S. Epps Gym. The win improved Central State's record to 5-4 overall and 4-1 in the SIAC, while Clark Atlanta fell to 6-3 and 2-1 in conference play.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads multiple times throughout the contest. Central State, led by standout performances from Abbigail Peterson and Jacquel Bronaugh, held on in the final moments despite a strong push by Clark Atlanta, who were undefeated in the SIAC coming into the matchup.
First Half: Close and Competitive
Central State started strong, leading 17-11 at the end of the first quarter thanks to an efficient 7-of-10 shooting performance. The Marauders were hot from the field, especially from beyond the arc, where they hit 2 of 4 three-pointers. However, Clark Atlanta made adjustments in the second quarter, as they outscored the Marauders 19-15 to take a slight 30-32 lead into halftime. Atreonia Garner and Trinity Jones were key contributors for the Panthers, combining for 12 points in the second frame.
Second Half: Marauders Hold Strong
The second half saw Central State reassert control. Peterson was a standout performer, contributing 13 points and providing an efficient offensive spark. Her shooting and leadership in the third quarter helped the Marauders maintain a 47-46 lead heading into the final frame.
Clark Atlanta, however, was far from done. Garner continued her strong play, finishing with 18 points, but her effort was not enough to overcome the depth of the Marauders. As the game entered the final few minutes, Central State's defense tightened, stifling the Panthers' offense while capitalizing on their opportunities.
Clutch Free Throws Seal the Win
In the fourth quarter, Central State's composure at the free-throw line proved crucial. With the game tied at 64 in the final seconds, the Marauders freshman Samara Gibson hit a pair of clutch free throws to take a 66-64 lead, and Clark Atlanta was unable to get off a game-winning shot as time expired.
Key Contributions
Peterson led the Marauders with 13 points, including three three-pointers, while Bronaugh added 9 points and provided key energy off the bench. Nadya McCown also contributed with 9 points, hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Diamond Phillips finished with 5 points and 6 assists, running the offense with poise.
For Clark Atlanta, Garner's 18 points led all scorers, and Jones added 17 points in a losing effort.Â
Looking Ahead. The Marauders' take on Wilberforce before heading to the Holiday break. Â
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