ATLANTA, Ga. – The Wildcats again proved to be a tough foe, but they couldn't get the lead in the final moments. Clark Atlanta outlasted Fort Valley State in the final minute, 72-67, in men's hoops Monday night.

After trailing by 11 points with 7:17 left, Jaylen Jackson hit back-to-back shots as part of a 7-point surge. Hassane Diallo, though, pulled the Wildcats to within a single point twice, 66-65 with 2:05 and 68-67 with 44 seconds remaining. Clark Atlanta, though, made an inside bucket with 15 seconds and saw the visitors' game-tying shot from the left corner come up short.

With the loss, FVSU (7-12) saw its 4-game win streak snapped as it went to an even 6-6 in the SIAC East. Clark Atlanta improved to 12-7 and 9-3 in the Division.

Playing hard inside all night, Diallo connected on 8 of 13 shots and 6 of 7 free throws for a team-high 22 points and made it a double-double with 10 rebounds. The sophomore also had two blocks, two steals and an assist.

Off the bench, Jackson drained four 3-pointers for 17 points to go with three rebounds and a block.

Sayerr Senghore chipped in seven points, seven boards and a trio of assists. Mike Robinson made five of his seven points on back-to-back possessions. Marcus Scott added a pair of treys for six points. Khirus Doucet contributed three points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Jahlen Jack added three tallies and three caroms. Antonio Pelham rounded out the effort with five boards and two points.

Both Shemani Fuller and Martez Jones finished with 14 points for the Panthers.

The Wildcats started strong with Diallo scoring first and then 3-straight triples from each of Scott, Senghore and Doucet took the visitors' lead to 11-6.

FVSU increased a one-point edge to 22-14 with the next seven points. A Diallo layup kept the FVSU lead at seven, 31-24, before CAU netted 12 of the final 15 points for a 36-34 intermission tally.

FVSU looks to return to the win column on Saturday evening, Feb. 1, in a 6 p.m. tip at rival Albany State.

-Wildcats-