Magic Act Thwarted: Colón and the Panthers Pull a Home-Opening Heist
If you went to L.S. Epps Gymnasium on Tuesday looking for a disappearing act, you almost got your wish—except it was the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians who saw their 15-point lead vanish into thin air. In a game that was more of a rollercoaster than a basketball contest, senior Najhae Colón proved that the best way to open a home schedule is with ice water in your veins and three high-stakes free throws in your pocket.
Clark Atlanta escaped with a 63–62 victory, clawing their way to 2–3 overall and proving that "dead and buried" is just a state of mind for this squad.
The Great Collapse (And Greater Comeback)
The Panthers started the game like they were shot out of a cannon, mounting an 18–4 lead faster than you can say "Kalen White triple." With Colón hitting early threes, it looked like CAU was headed for a blowout.
Then, the Magicians started doing actual magic. They outscored the Panthers 27–15 to end the half and didn't stop there. By the time five minutes remained in regulation, Clark Atlanta was staring down a 15-point deficit. Most fans were already mentally checking the schedule for the next game, but the Panthers decided to stage an 18–3 run that turned the gymnasium into a pressure cooker.
Colón: The Closer
With the score knotted at 62 and under 30 seconds to play, Najhae Colón stepped to the charity stripe. In those moments, the rim usually looks about the size of a thimble, but Colón treated it like an ocean. He sank the crucial go-ahead free throw to put CAU up by one, and the defense held firm to seal the deal.
Colón finished as the team's leading scorer with 13 points, proving that while he might be 5'9", he casts a very long shadow in the clutch.
Bench Mob and Box Score Oddities
From an analytical perspective, this game was won on the sidelines. The Panthers' reserves absolutely dismantled the Magicians' bench, outscoring them 43–29. When your bench provides nearly 70% of your total points, you have the kind of depth that makes conference play very interesting.
Board Work: Jadyn Shider played the role of "Chairman of the Boards," hauling in a team-high eight rebounds to keep the Panthers alive in the trenches.
The Charity Stripe: CAU lived at the free-throw line, going 26-of-40. While shooting 65% from the line isn't exactly "Dream Team" territory, the sheer volume of attempts (40!) proved that the Panthers were the aggressors.
Inside the Box Score
Player The Stat The "Sanchez" Take
Najhae Colón 13 Pts, Game-Winning FT. The "Heart and Soul" award is currently being engraved with his name.
Chase Hill 9 Pts Solid contribution from the junior to keep the offense afloat.
CAU Bench 43 Points. If the starters were the main course, the bench was a buffet.
The Bottom Line: You don't get style points in the SIAC, but you do get wins. The Panthers showed enough grit to fill a sandbox, turning a near-disaster into a home-opening highlight reel.
UP NEXT: The Panthers host Albany State on Thursday, December 4, at 8 p.m. It’s another chance to even up that conference record. Can the Panthers keep the comeback magic alive, or will the Golden Rams find a way to quiet the L.S. Epps faithful?
Will the Panthers' bench continue to carry the load, or will the starters find their rhythm early to avoid another "cardiac arrest" finish?
