SAVANNAH, Ga.- What a difference one point makes.
 
It was a one point difference on January 22, 2024 in Tiger Arena as 2,543 fans witnessed Clark Atlanta University squeeze out a 50-49 win over Savannah State University.
 
In a game that had three ties and seven lead changes, neither team made a field goal the final four and a half minutes of the contest. Jordan Mikel's layup with 4:27 left was Savannah State's last field goal while Shemani Fuller's layup with 4:05 remaining was the Panthers final made basket from the field.
 
Down the stretch, SSU missed two layups,a dunk and a 3-pointer while making five of nine free throw attempts. Clark Atlanta committed a pair of turnovers while making one of two free throw attempts and missing 3-point shots, a layup and a jumper.
 
Fuller's layup gave the Panthers a 49-44 lead. On SSU's next possession, Qua King was fouled while attempting a 3-point shot. King converted all three free throws which drew the Tigers within 49-47 with 3:42 showing.
 
Twenty-five seconds later, Fuller made a free throw to give Clark Atlanta a 50-47 advantage.
 
Following several missed scoring opportunities, King made two free throws to cut CAU's lead to 50-49 with 40 seconds remaining.
 
CAU's Elijah Stewart missed a 3-pointer and King grabbed the rebound and called timeout with just ten seconds left to play to set up a dramatic finish.
 
However, Zion Davis' 3-point attempt was no good and CAU claimed the victory.
 
It was the third straight setback for the Tigers, all last second losses.
 
SSU lost at Albany State 49-48 on January 15, loss to Morehouse 68-66 in Tiger Arena on January 20 and fell short to Clark Atlanta at home by one, two days later.
 
The loss drops Savannah State to 7-8 overall and 5-6 in conference play.
 
With 2:55 left in the first period, the Tigers trailed by 11 but finished the half with 10 unanswered points to go into the locker room only down by one, 30-29. During the run, Savannah State received a 3 pointer from Michael Swift, a layup and a 3-pointer from Davis and a layup from Mikel.
 
The Panthers went ahead by three early but two free throws by King and a layup by Davis put SSU out in front 33-32 with 18:22 left.
 
The game remained close and with 13:37 left, Clark Atlanta went ahead by six. The Tigers erased their deficit and got within 41-40 with 11:29 showing.
 
The rest of the way, CAU's lead grew to as many as five before the Tigers closed within one with 40 seconds left.
 
Savannah State won the rebounding battle 46 to 40.
 
Davis and King had 14 points each for Savannah State. Mikel scored eight points followed by Chancellor Wilson (7), Swift (3), Javonte Landy (2) and Ayjay Plain (1). Wilson added eight rebounds, Plain had five assists and Davis had three steals.
 
Fuller had a double-double for the Panthers (13-3, 7-3 SIAC) with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Savannah State will journey to Edward Waters University on January 27 for a 5 p.m. tip-off.