Clark Atlanta’s bench sparked the Panthers in the second half to roll over Albany State 86-66.
Albany State came out aggressively and took command of the first half. Leading scorer Kendale Johnson played like a bull in a china shop, scoring most of his 20 points in the paint and pulling down seven rebounds. The starting five scored all but seven of the Golden Rams’ 66 points. Two of guard Cameron Evans’ 11 points gave the Golden Rams a 10-point lead – their largest of the game – late in the first half.
Clark Atlanta cut the lead to within five before the end of the half. When they returned, it took the Panthers five minutes to get their mojo working. A couple of mini runs allowed the Panthers to draw even. Jayden Shider’s tip-in and free throws gave the Panthers a short-lived two-point lead. Kalen White’s three-pointer cut the Golden Rams’ lead to one.
Shooters shoot, but when they aren’t hitting their shots, it can dig a team into a hole. Albany State found that out the hard way. The Rams shot a dismal 3-of-15 from behind the arc in the first half and an even worse 0-for-10 in the second half.
While the Rams struggled from the field, the Panthers’ bench caught fire. Ny’Mire Little, Camarion Johnson, Najhae Colon, and Kharye Cayne combined to outscore the Rams bench 25-7.
Chase Hill scored nine of his game-leading 22 points in the second half. Little chipped in 8, including two big threes, as the Panthers outscored the Rams 53-29.
The Rams drop to 0-5, 0-2 in the SIAC, while the Panthers improve to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the SIAC.