Sizzlin’ second half shooting gives Clayton State men impressive 73-60 victory at West Georgia

CARROLLTON, Ga. – December 12, 2011 – Two weeks ago, the West Georgia Wolves came to Clayton State and pulled off a 78-68 victory over the Laker men. However, Clayton State returned the favor on Monday night as the Lakers rolled to an impressive 73-60 victory over the previously undefeated Wolves at The Coliseum.

The victory was the fourth straight for Clayton State, which improves to 6-1 overall. Clayton State has now won three straight at West Georgia, and six of the last eight games against the Wolves.

"Very, very good team win tonight," said Clayton State head coach Gordon Gibbons. "We had our backs to the wall since they were undefeated with impressive wins. We needed a good showing and we got it."

The key for the Lakers was some impressive shooting in the second half and a 17-2 run that put Clayton State in control. Clayton State shot a sizzlin' 63 percent (15-for-24) from the field in the second half, including 54 percent (7-for-13) from 3-point range.

The turning point started for the Lakers with 10 minutes remaining. West Georgia's Gavin Field connected on a running baseline jumper to give the Wolves a 45-43 lead with 9:23 remaining. However, the Lakers' Teondre Williams responded with a 16-foot jumper from the right wing and two free throws to give Clayton State a 47-45 lead at the 8:55 mark.

That was only the beginning for the Lakers as center Andrew Bachanov drained a 3-point basket, followed by a reverse lay-up by Williams. A 3-point basket by Tony Dukes increased the Clayton State lead to 55-45 with 6:59 remaining.

West Georgia would get no closer than eight points down the stretch. Meanwhile, Torrin Greene's 3-point basket at the 6:17 mark increased the Laker lead to 11 points. Anthony Salter followed with a jumper in the lane, pushing the Clayton State lead to 60-47 with 5:23 remaining.

The Lakers took their largest lead of the game 71-54 on a breakaway dunk by Williams at the 1:17 mark.

"That was by far the best half we have played this season," Gibbons said. "We played with a lot of energy, especially on defense, and really hit the boards hard."

Williams paced Clayton State with 24 points, while Salter scored 14 points. It was a 3-point basket by Salter as time expired that gave Clayton State a 29-27 halftime after a first half that featured 12 lead-changes. Bachanov recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Dukes added 10 points.

For West Georgia (8-1), Ryan Godfrey scored 21 points on five 3-point baskets, while Da'Ron Sims scored 12 points. It was Sims who scored 27 points in the previous game at Clayton State, and the Lakers turned up the defensively intensity on the Wolves' leading scorer. Clayton State dominated the boards, out-rebounding West Georgia 41-26.

Clayton State opens Peach Belt Conference play on Wednesday, playing host to in-state rival Georgia Southwestern at 7:30 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center.