ATLANTA, Ga. - The Paine College men's basketball team could not hold on to a late lead and fell victim to the Clark Atlanta press before falling 73-72 at L.S. Epps Gymnasium on CAU's campus on Thursday Evening.

PC falls to 1-16, 0-11 SIAC while the Panthers improve to 14-8, 8-3 SIAC.

Up by 68-59 with just 2:26 remaining in the ball game, Clark Atlanta implemented a full-court press that the Lions could not handle turning the ball over four times in the final minutes. Leading 72-71 with :16 seconds remaining CAU's Tajai Johnson drove down the lane and connected on a layup giving the Panthers the 73-72 victory.

Kaderious Compton led Paine with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assist while Malcom Whittington had 17 points including 3-of-5 from behind the arc and Yusef Riley had 14 points and seven rebounds. Antoine Williams contributed off of the bench with eight points and four rebounds including forcing several charges. PC shot 50.0 (25-of-50) percent from the field but turned the ball over a game-high 26 times. Although just shooting 36.6 (26-of-71) percent from the field Clark Atlanta made up for it on the boards out-rebounding PC and finished the game with 13 steals.

Johnson led the Panthers with 18 points including the game-winner while Lawrence Triplett finished with a double-double 12 points and 11 rebounds. Damien Davis and Tim Sanders chipped in with 15 and 12 points respectively.

The Lions return to action this Monday, February 6 against Benedict College at the HEAL Complex. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.