CAU embarrassed Paine College in a 77-52 blowout.
Updated: Mar 13, 2021
The Panthers (7-13, 7-5) hosted the Lions (2-14, 2-9) in hopes to end their four-game losing streak.
CAU Men’s Basketball team huddling after snapping their four-game losing skid.
Photo taken by Derrian Carter.
The CAU Panthers halted their four-game losing streak after a 77-52 blowout victory over the Paine College Lions to improve to 8-13 (8-5) at L.S. Epps Gymnasium.
After dropping their last four games by an average of 8.5, CAU looked to get back on the right track at home against the worst team in the conference.
In the first 12 minutes of the game, the Panthers struggled against their division foe as they missed their first eight 3-pointers in the contest. Despite this, CAU was only down once the entire night, and the largest deficit CAU faced was five. Then, with under 10 minutes left in the half, CAU’s Justin Longstreet made two consecutive 3-pointers that gave the Panthers the lead and momentum for the rest of the contest. CAU ended the half on a 15-8 run capped off by a buzzer beater 3-pointer by Tyler Singleton. Singleton finished the game with a team leading 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and one block, while Longstreet finished the game with nine points, all made 3-pointers, two assists and one steal.
Similarly, in the second half, CAU imposed its will on Paine. The Panthers outscored the Lions by 17 in the second half. This effort was sparked by two runs, a 9-2 run to start the second half that consisted of three made 3-pointers by CAU and a 18-3 run that was executed in a little under five minutes.
Singleton shooting a 3-pointer before the half.
Photo taken by Derrian Carter.
The key to victory for the Panthers was their ability to out shoot the Lions from the three, their ability to out rebound the Lions on the offensive board and their ability to take care of the ball. CAU outscored Paine 27-6 from three. CAU shot 9-29 (31%) from three, which consisted of six different players hitting 3-pointers, while Paine shot 2-10 (20%) from three.
Further, CAU won the rebound battle. Although both teams had the same amount of defensive rebounds, CAU, on the offensive boards, doubled (16) Paine’s offensive rebounding total (8). This allowed second chance points to occur which played a role in CAU’s rout. This effort was led by Maximo Guillermo and Romaine Thomas as they both combined for eight offensive rebounds. Lastly, CAU did not turn the ball over as much as Paine. CAU had 13 turnovers, while Paine turned it over 22 times, which tied their second worse turnover game this season. This effort led to more offensive possessions for CAU.
CAU will look to carry this momentum when they challenge Paine College (2-15, 2-10) again on Feb. 8 in Augusta, Ga. The Panthers will return home to play Benedict College on Feb. 10 in L.S. Epps Gymnasium. It will be the first of their last three home games of the season.
This story has been originally published in Clark Atlanta University's student newspaper - the Panther. For inquiries, email James McJunkins: jamesolaf@comcast.net