SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State had a balanced scoring attack in their 69-64 win over visiting Clark Atlanta in a SIAC match-up played on Saturday afternoon in Tiger Arena.

Freshman Jazmin Thornton, who was one of five Lady Tigers to score in double figures, produced her first career double double with ten points and a dozen rebounds.

The victory improves SSU to 8-8 overall and 4-6 in conference play.

Early in the fourth quarter with Savannah State holding a 11-point lead, Amani Hamilton went down with a injury and never returned to the game. Hamilton's absence allowed the Panthers to trim their deficit to 57-56 with 2:27 left but back-to-back triples by Myasia Jones extended SSU's advantage to five at the 1:29 mark.

Clark Atlanta (12-5, 7-3 SIAC) closed within 63-62 with :59 showing on the clock but the Lady Tigers sealed the win in the closing seconds, getting four free throws from Alayah Birch and two from Jones. Birch led Savannah State with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Hamilton added 14 points, Jones had 12 and six rebounds while K'yla Hankerson chipped in ten points and seven rebounds.

CAU led 16-13 late in the first quarter before Hamilton made a pair of free throws with 1:36 left to close Savannah State's gap to 16-15 and a jumper by Hamkerson to open the second quarter put SSU ahead 17-16.

Leading 29-28 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half, Hankerson hit a jumper and a free throw and Birch added a free throw to give the Orange and Blue a 33-28 advantage.

SSU went into the half with a 34-30 cushion.

Savannah State scored eight straight points as they started the third quarter with a 10-3 run to increase their lead to 44-33 lead with 5:36 on the clock.

Late in the quarter, CAU whittled their deficit down to 46-41 but Thornton closed the quarter with a free throw and a jumper while opening the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Lady Tigers a 52-41 lead.

Jaliyah Harper scored four points for Savannah State and Mya Byrd had five assists, three points and two steals.

In a game that had seven ties and nine lead changes, SSU had more rebounds (43 to 41), points off turnovers ( 13 to 10) and points in the paint (32 to 30).

Savannah State will go for their third win in a row next Saturday afternoon January 25 when they go on the road to face Allen. Tip-off is set for 2:00pm inside John Hurst Adams Gymnasium.

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