Clayton State men open 2011-12 season with 80-64 triumph over Tennessee Temple

MORROW, Ga. – November 14, 2011 – The Clayton State Laker men's basketball team had a scare from visiting Tennessee Temple early on Monday in its 2011-12 season opener. But Teondre Williams put those fears to rest quickly.

A transfer from Division I Oregon, Williams made an impressive Clayton State debut with a game-high 24 points as the Lakers opened with an 80-64 victory over Tennessee Temple at the Athletics and Fitness Center. Clayton State is now 17-5 all-time in season openers, including winning its last seven straight.

Tennessee Temple falls to 3-4 overall.

Williams scored 16 second-half points as the Lakers overcame a sluggish first half.

Spearheaded by the play of guard Corey Sanders, the Crusaders finished the first half strong on a 17-9 run to lead 36-35 at halftime. Sanders scored 12 first-half points on 5-for-6 shooting from the field as Tennessee Temple shot an impressive 56 percent from the field and 46 percent from 3-point range.

However, Clayton State turned up the defensive pressure to start the second half with a 25-4 run. Williams tied the game on a breakaway dunk off a Crusader turnover, and then drained a long 3-point basket to give the Lakers a 42-37 lead with 17:23 remaining.

Clayton State increased the lead to 12 points on a 3-point basket by Tony Dukes and a baseline jumper by Williams. Following a lay-up by Anthony Salter, Williams finished off the rally with three free throws, and then he drained another 3-point basket from the right corner to give the Clayton State a 59-41 lead at the 11:42 mark.

The Lakers' largest lead of the contest was 20 points, 67-47 on a lay-up by Bradley Tumer with seven minutes remaining. In the second half, Clayton State limited Tennessee Temple to only 33 percent shooting from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range.

In addition to Williams, Tumer scored 12 points off the bench on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting from the free throw line, while Salter scored 10 points. Center Andrew Bachanov added nine points and five rebounds, while Dukes also scored nine points. For the game, Clayton State shot 72 percent (23-for-32) from the free throw line.

For Tennessee Temple, Sanders scored 14 points off the bench, while Drew Ferrell scored 13 points. Power forward Germeil Daniels recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. The Crusaders out-rebounded Clayton State 43-33.

Clayton State hits the road on Wednesday for a big challenge at Conference Carolinas power Limestone. Tip-off is set 7:30 p.m.