FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Wildcats came close but came away empty for the second time in two weeks. After Fort Valley State's Sayerr Senghore tied the game with 3:13 left, Clark Atlanta answered with seven points in a row and edged out a tight 79-75 men's basketball victory.

FVSU led by five points, 55-50, midway through the second half, before CAU turned the tables for a 3-point, 62-59, edge with 5:19 to go. Senghore deadlocked the contest for the fourth time of the second half. The Panthers took advantage of seven empty Wildcat possessions and netted seven points for a 73-66 advantage with 51 seconds. FVSU could only get back to within four points in the final moments.

For the second time, CAU (14-8/11-4 SIAC East) claimed a close win over FVSU (8-14/7-7 SIAC East) after it took the game in Atlanta on Jan. 27, 72-67.

Senghore led all scorers with 19 points on 8 of 15 from the floor to go with seven rebounds and two blocks for the Wildcats.

Both Jahlen Jack and Jaylen Jackson pumped in 17 points apiece. Jack made his points on 6 of 9 shooting and 4 of 4 from the foul line, while he had three rebounds and two assists. Jackson connected on 6 of 12 shots, including a pair of treys, off the bench.

Marcus Scott chipped in nine points and three steals. Hassane Diallo added eight points, four rebounds, four assists and a pair of blocked shots. Khirus Doucet finished with four points, three caroms and four assists.

Martez Jones paced Clark Atlanta with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Panthers posted the game's first 12 points in the opening 4:20. Behind 20-14, the Wildcats surged with the next seven points for their first lead, 21-20.

FVSU aims to return to the win column on Monday night, Feb. 10, in a 7:30 p.m. contest against Morehouse College for Community Night.

-Wildcats-