Box Score Anthony Williams' 15 points led five Panthers in double figures as Clark Atlanta University defeated Shorter College 88-65 in Rome, Ga. Monday. It's the fourth win in a row for the Panthers.
Playing their first game since Nov. 30, the Panthers ran their record to 9-1 behind some hot shooting. CAU hit 69 percent of their shots in the first half in jumping out to a 45-23 halftime lead. In that first half, Michael Vigilance came off the bench to hit six of his seven shots, and both of his 3-point shots as the Panthers broke open a close game by outscoring Shorter (1-9) 38-16 over the last 15 minutes of the half. Vigilance led a bench that scored 42 points for CAU.
"Big Mike came into the game and gave us a big lift," said CAU head coach
Darrell Walker. "Our bench was great tonight."
In the second half, the lead grew to as many as 30 points after Williams' free throws 13:13 remaining made it 62-32.
While the Panthers shot the ball well, their defense held Shorter to just 36 percent shooting on the night.
"They had a tough time shooting," Walker said. "Defensively, we were locked in as we only gave up 23 points in the first half, gave up a little more in the second half, but overall that's a pretty good defensive effort."
Williams finished with 15 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal for CAU. Vigilance had 14 points, five rebounds and one block, while Akil Douglas had 12 points, six rebounds and one steal. Jalen Mitchell had 11 points and three rebounds, Jamal Pollydore had 10 points, two rebounds, and an assist.
Shorter was led by Amonte Potter's 22 points. Josh Burnett added 18.
"Shorter was a team that's kind of short-handed, but they play hard and they play fast," Walker said. "And to hold them to 65 points is pretty good. But I'm trying to get us revved up for conference play.
The Panthers will be back at L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Saturday, December 16 at 4 p.m. when they host Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Central State.