The Panthers (in white) advance to play MIles College, the number one seed out of the West on Friday at 11 a.m.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

MORROW, GA. – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments began this week. The March Madness is taking place at the Arena at Southlake, a new multi-use facility in Clayton County.

On Thursday, the Clark Atlanta University women played their first tournament game against Tuskegee University and advanced to the semifinals with a 62-52 victory. The morning tip-off took place in front of a small but energetic crowd. The Panthers were playing just a few miles from the Atlanta University Center and their home court at L.S. Epps Gymnasium. 

Clark Atlanta went into halftime with a six-point lead at 24-18, after scoring in the paint with less than 10 seconds remaining in the half. That final basket of the first half came after Tuskegee scored on consecutive trips down the court. 

The Panthers were playing their first game of the tournament after earning a first-round bye as the number two overall seed out of the East. 

This is the first year the SIAC Conference tournament is taking place at the Arena at Southlake.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/Thr Atlanta Voice

The second half began with Tuskegee pulling closer and cutting Clark Atlanta’s lead to five points. Panthers guard Janiah Ellis only scored seven points during the game, but it was the five consecutive points she scored midway through the third quarter that helped Clark Atlanta get their lead back to double-digits.

March Madness includes the Division II programs from around the country, including in the Atlanta University Center.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Clark Atlanta would once again allow Tuskegee back in the game and led by only three points, 51-48, with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Senior forward Shawn Tate (eight points), who led both teams with 10 rebounds, scored a basket to keep the Panthers’ lead at five with 1:00 left to play. 

Seconds later, Clark Atlanta sophomore point guard Joirdyn Smith’s floater in the lane gave the Panthers a 59-52 lead with less than a minute to play. The basket was her 10th point of the game, joining junior Atreonioa Garner (18 points) in double figures. 

The Panthers advance to play Miles College, the number one seed out of the West, on Friday at 11 a.m.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Donnell began his career covering sports and news in Atlanta nearly two decades ago. Since then he has written for Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Southern Cross...