The college basketball landscape in the SIAC is currently being shaped in part by the teams in the Atlanta University Center.
Both Clark Atlanta University basketball teams are either in first place standing or a game out of first place and the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers, 22-1 overall and an impressive 16-1 in conference, are all alone in first place in the SIAC East.
On Saturday afternoon, all three teams were in action starting with the Clark Atlanta Lady Panthers, who defeated visiting the Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats 83-65 for their eighth consecutive victory.
The victory puts CAU at 15-2 in conference play (17-7 overall under first-year head coach Yolanda Moore), three games above Albany State University (who will be on town on Monday) in the Eastern Division and a game in front of Central State University (14-3 in conference) for the best overall record. The Lady Panthers hold the tie-breaker after defeating the Lady Marauders 85-81 in Atlanta on Dec. 16, 2017.
The Panthers are now 15-2 in conference (21-3 overall) after defeating Fort Valley State. The victory put an end to a season-long two-game losing streak for Clark Atlanta. They will host Albany State University on Monday night.
The Morehouse Maroon Tigers took their league-best overall record, conference record (a game over CAU at 16-1) and the number one spot in the latest Division II South poll into their game with the Albany State University Rams and remain the top team in the league after winning their 10th home game of the season (The Maroon Tigers have not lost at home this season) following a 76-63 victory.
Ahead by a single point, 35-34, at halftime, the Maroon Tigers would quickly grab their largest lead of the game, 41-34, following a basket by senior guard Tyrius Walker and free-throws from sophomore reserve Michael Olmert.
Walker only managed six first-half points but rallied back to lead his team with 16 points during the second half. With a little under 12 minutes to play in the game, the home team would be ahead 56-43. A Walker three-point would give Morehouse their largest lead of the game at 17 points.
Senior Jordan Wallace added 12 points and Olmert scored 11 points. Morehouse will host the Fort Valley State University Rams on Monday night.
