COLLEGE PARK, GA, —Fayetteville State battled to the final possession but came up just short in its second game of the Chris Paul HBCU Classic, falling 75-72 to Clark Atlanta on Friday afternoon at The Gateway Center Arena in College Park. The loss dropped the Broncos to 6-6 overall and 1-2 in CIAA play, while the Panthers improved to 7-3 and 4-2 in the SIAC.
Travon Cooper led Fayetteville State with 17 points and two blocks, attacking the rim and providing energy on both ends. Larry Howell matched him with 17 points of his own and added six rebounds, while Romeo Aquino came off the bench to score 12 points and give the Broncos a lift inside. Terrell Williams pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, helping Fayetteville State collect 15 offensive boards that turned into 10 second-chance points. Defensively, the Broncos were disruptive, recording seven blocks, three of them from Omari Byrd, and holding Clark Atlanta to just 36.9 percent shooting from the field.
Clark Atlanta answered with scoring contributions across its lineup and sharp execution in the closing minutes. Jadyn Shider posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Kalen White added 13 points. Sam Kodi and Darnell Evans each chipped in 11, and Kharye Cayne contributed nine points and eight rebounds, anchoring the Panthers in the paint. Clark Atlanta’s depth proved critical, as the Panthers got contributions from multiple players and finished with 17 points off turnovers…