Clayton State men come alive with thrilling 55-50 victory over Wingate

MORROW, Ga. – November 26, 2011 – Coming off a tough defeat at home against in-state rival West Georgia on Tuesday, the Clayton State Laker men's basketball team put forth a stellar defensive effort on Saturday as the Lakers knocked off visiting Wingate 55-50 at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

The victory improves Clayton State to 3-1 overall, while Wingate falls to 2-5.

The Lakers got big offensive games from senior Division I transfer guards Teondre Williams and Anthony Salter. Williams paced Clayton State with 19 points on three 3-point baskets, followed closely by Salter with 16 points on four 3-point baskets.

However, Clayton State put the defensive clamps on Wingate, especially in the second half. The Lakers limited the Bulldogs to only 24 percent shooting (5-for-21) from the field in the second half after Wingate shot 43 percent from the field and from 3-point range to lead 30-27 at halftime. Wingate's largest lead in the first half was 10 points, 22-12 with 8:57 remaining.

After Clayton State fell behind by seven points early in the second half, the Lakers rallied. Salter tied the game on a 3-point basket at the 10:59 mark, and a jumper by Williams put Clayton State ahead 41-39 with 10:19 remaining. After Wingate tied the game on two free throws by Odell Turner, Williams answered again with a 3-point basket to put the Lakers ahead for good.

Clayton State extended its lead to eight points 51-43 on a 3-point basket by Salter at the 6:59 mark. A lay-up by Juron Dobbs on the ensuing possession made the Laker lead 53-45.

Wingate trimmed the deficit to three points 53-50 on three free throws and a baseline jumper by Jaime Vaughn. But Clayton State came up with two huge defensive stops, including a blocked shot by Williams on a lay-up attempt by the Bulldogs' Eddie Lewis with 14 seconds remaining.

Williams drained two free throws with six seconds remaining to seal it for the Lakers.

Junior center Andrew Bachanov grabbed eight rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 75 percent (15-for-20) from the free throw line and 44 percent from 3-point range. Turner paced Wingate with 14 points on 10-for-13 shooting from the free throw line.

Clayton State plays host to Carver on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center.