The Clark Atlanta Panthers denied the Miles Golden Bears an opportunity to sweep the SIAC women’s and men’s basketball championships, coming away with a 65-55 win.
The Miles women’s team won its first-ever SIAC championship earlier in the day, defeating Kentucky State 75-72.
Miles was looking to become the first team to win conference titles in men’s and women’s basketball in the same season since 2004.
Shemani Fuller led the Panthers with 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Jalen Nesmith followed with 15 points and six rebounds.
SIAC Player of the Year Chris Martin produced 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Miles guard Alvin Miles was the game’s top scorer, putting up 24 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Truitt Spencer scored nine points; all three of his shots came from three-point range.
Clark Atlanta for the win! Congratulations to the Panthers, your 2024 SIAC Men's Basketball Champions! 🏀 🏆 #SIAC #SIACMBB #SIACChamps #LeadersRiseHere
Championship photos are coming soon! Follow the SIAC to stay locked in! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SqGfUHGgru
— The SIAC (@TheSIAC) March 10, 2024
In each of Clark Atlanta’s first two tournament games leading into the championship game, they trailed at halftime and eventually fell behind by double digits.
This game was a completely different story, as they got a 20-8 lead in its first 10 minutes. The run was highlighted by a seven-minute stretch in which the Panthers outscored the Golden Bears 16-2.
Though Miles was able to keep the game within striking distance, only entering the half down eight points, their struggles to capitalize on open attempts in the first half loomed large.
Clark Atlanta began the second half the same way they started the first, going on a 19-8 run in the first eight minutes to take a game-high 19-point lead.
Miles continued to fight, eventually trimming their deficit to as low as four points in the final two minutes, but it was not enough to give them a chance to win.
